By Anna Bachmann
Voices in the Wilderness

There has been a lot of violence over the past few days. The coalition has closed down a newspapers and they detained one of Muqtada Al Sadr’s (a prominant shia cleric and firebrand) associates … Last week, I was actually stuck inside the Green Zone trying to get out when there was a protest going on at one of the main entrances.

“I wouldn’t go out that way, Miss,” said the soldier to me at the checkpoint. I was with a young Iraqi gentleman when this happened. We decided to part company. He went out the gate and past the mass of protestors. I hopped the Green Zone bus and drove with several other people trying to leave the Zone to look for another gate that wasn’t blocked by protesters (apparently several were).

by Jo Wilding

“I was one of the leaders of the uprising in 1991 in the town of Hilla. I had to leave in 1992 with my wife and children and go north to Erbil,” Jawdat Al-Obaidi began his story. “The uprising failed because we were not organised and because the US government under George Bush promised to help us but then supported Saddam to suppress the uprising.

“I joined the Iraqi opposition in the north, organising in secret political cells until 1996 when I was captured after the unsuccessful uprising. We asked the US forces who were operating in the north to provide air cover for us because we could take the cities but we couldn’t hold them without air cover because they had given helicopters to the Iraqi government.

“They promised us air cover and we made a successful attack on the Republican Guard at Kirkuk but they did not give us the air cover. Saddam’s army counter attacked, surrounded and seized the city of Erbil. It was a terrible day. We lost about two hundred resistance fighters. I was captured by the intelligence services on November 25th 1996.

By John Farrell

“Forgive us, Monsignor, for we have elected your assassins once again… ” read the top part of the banner hanging from the stage outside of the Cathedral of San Salvador during the Mass commemorating the 24th anniversary of the murder of Monsignor Oscar Romero. This Mass came on the heels of the ARENA party’s victory in El Salvador’s presidential elections. The ARENA party, which staunchly supports US economic and political policy in Central America, has won all four presidential elections since the signing of the peace accords in 1991.

In contrast to the banner, the words of Bishop Rosa Chavez’s sermon that night struck a more hopeful note. “It is true that people voted out of fear in these elections,” Chavez explained, “but if we can create hope in the midst of fear then the spirit of Monsignor Romero will truly be with us today.”

Before his assassination in 1980, Romero said that if he were killed, he would rise again in the Salvadoran people. During the long years of war, disappearances, mass murder and political repression that followed, people kept Romero’s promise in their hearts; they will have to continue to do so to meet the challenges of the years to come.

Please consider writing on behalf of Camilo Mejia, a 28-year-old Florida National Guard Staff Sargeant who did not return to Iraq from R&R leave. Camilo has taken a public stand of conscience against what he calls an illegal and immoral war, and has filed an application for conscientious objector status. Camilo is now being held at Ft. Stewart in Georgia, where he is charged by the Army with desertion. He will be tried by a Special Court Martial, and can receive one year in prison and a Bad Conduct Discharge.

Maritza is asking you to write two letters: one to Camilo expressing your support and another to the Commanding General asking that the Army accept Camilo’s conscientious objection application.

Camilo’s Address:
Ssg. Mejia Camilo
A Company USAG MED-HOLD 865
Hase Road
Ft. Stewart, GA 31315

The Commanding General’s address:
Major General William G. Webster, Jr.
Commanding General, Fort Stewart
42 Wayne Place
Ft Stewart, GA 31314

Thank you for helping this brave soldier and his courageous mother.

April 05, 2004

Dear Friends:
Many of our friends are doing last minute tasks to get ready to report to prison Tuesday. If you know any of them, I encourage you to send them your love and support at this time. Last year, in the middle of the night, I was unable to sleep as some of you began your first night in prison. After beating up my pillow and bed, I got up and wrote this poem. With you, my friends, I share it. Keep our friends in your spirits.
Peace and love,
Bill Quigley

Yesterday My Friend Chose Prison
Dedicated to the SOA prisoners of conscience