Petition for conscientious objector Pablo Paredes- court martial 5/11/05

[undeterred]

Pablo Paredes faces Court Martial on May 11th.

http://www.defendpablo.org/

On December 6, 2004 Pablo Paredes reported to the 32nd Street Naval Station in San Diego and refused to board the ship in protest of the current US war. He reported to the pier wearing civilian clothing and a T-shirt that read: "Like a cabinet member, I resign." "I just want people to know how many Americans feel about the war" Pablo explained "...it's not just a few crazy liberals trying to get the attention of the media." While the Navy officers on hand did try to persuade him to board the ship and cease protest; Pablo maintained his position and did not board the ship. He went on to give several short interviews for local media while at the Pier.

This act of conscientious objection can result in military confinement and even Courts Marshal. The US Navy will most likely carry out an investigation prior to issuing formal sanctions. The US Navy may even choose to consider him a deserter. When speaking about his possible imprisonment Pablo explained "I'd rather do military prison time than six months of dirty work for a war that I and many others do not support. War should be an absolute last resort and even then must be considered thoroughly."

Pablo Paredes joined the US Navy in 2000. he was a young man with enthusiasm for life and a desire to experience the world; thus joining the Navy seemed to be a positive move. When asked if he ever considered that he might be called upon to participate in war, Pablo says "never in a million years did I imagine we would go to war with somebody who had done nothing to us".

[auntAgonist]

1. see my post also...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3618414

[kenny blankenship]

2. Unfortunately, only officers

get to resign. Paredes rating as an enlisted man (petty officer 3rd class) is more or less equivalent to a corporal in the Army. They own him, body and soul. If he were a commissioned officer he might have resigned his commission; as an enlisted man he can go to sea or go to jail. It's a neat hard coding of the class system into one of our country's most basic institutions. It's been there from the start and never changed a bit.

[Beaverhausen]

3. Monday kick