Iraq war veterans Sgts. Adam Kokesh and Liam
Madden (who is on the Advisory Board of World Can’t Wait), are now being threatened by the Marine Corps to have their “honorable discharges” revoked for speaking out against the war. Below you can find the latest updates and media coverage.
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From the cover story of Boston Now June 8 edition:
Clad in a black T-shirt emblazoned with “Iraq Veterans Against the
War,” an Iraq war veteran could lose his honorable discharge status for
speaking his mind.Sgt. Liam Madden, 22, stood on the steps of the Statehouse Thursday
afternoon and claimed the Marine Corps was trying to “silence the free
speech and assault the First Amendment rights” of veterans.The North End resident said he was being charged by the Marine Corps
with wearing a part of his uniform at a Washington D.C. war protest in
March. Madden said is also charged with making disloyal statements at a
protest in New York City in February.Madden said that because he is listed as “inactive,” he is free to speak his opinions.
A June 1 Marine Corps letter reads, “Sgt. Liam Madden is facing
administrative action for unauthorized wear of the military uniform and
disloyal statement.”Those statements, Madden said, were that “[President Bush] has betrayed
U.S. service members by committing them to a war crime.” Madden said
that if he is found guilty of the charges, his “honorable” discharge
status will be changed to “other than honorable” resulting in the loss
of all military benefits including pay and healthcare.The Marine Corps said the letter sent to Madden was only a
notification that his actions were being investigated and that no
charges have officially been filed. The change in status to “other than
honorable discharge” for Madden, as repercussion of a decision against
him, were not confirmed by the Marine Corps. Such a punishment was one
possible outcome, the spokesman said.“I think they’re trying to intimidate others from speaking out,”
said Vietnam veteran Nate Goldshlag. “I think it is outrageous that the
military is trying to suppress the guys who are over there and saw what
the war is.”
Click here to read the full story and to watch video.
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From “Good Morning America” 6/3:
From Elaine Brower, World Can’t Wait National Steering Committee
Expressing
their first amendment rights, Marine Corps. Sgts. Adam Kokesh and Liam
Madden, who is on the Advisory Board of World Can’t Wait, are being
harrassed by the Government. Both received honorable discharges and
served their Country by fighting in Iraq. Liam Madden, co-founder of
the Appeal for Redress, began organizing against the illegal occupation
in Iraq, and joined IVAW when he was discharged from active duty
service. The same for Sgt. Adam Kokesh.
Now, since they have joined civilian life, their “Honorable
Discharge” status is being challenged, and the Marine Corps. is
attempting to reverse it into “something less than honorable.” We
cannot allow this to happen! We must stand up for them and demand that
they drop this ridiculous attempt to make an example out of returning
troops who follow their conscience. They must and should be allowed to
express their dissatisfaction with this immoral war through the rights
given to them in our Constitution which they were sworn to uphold.
Please, check out the link below for more information and see how you can help.