Rory Fanning at the Great Lakes IL, billboard
One of the VFP billboards. See them all here.
In response to the serial crimes ordered by the Trump administration in Minneapolis, Gaza and Venezuela, a national veteran’s organization is sponsoring billboards urging active duty and National Guard troops to “follow the law and their conscience” and refuse illegal orders.
In a now-famous video, Senator Mark Kelly and five other Members of Congress, all military veterans, boldly told active duty and National Guard troops they have the right and the duty to refuse illegal orders. “No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution,” they clearly advised. Veterans For Peace (VFP) publicly supported their statement.
Now, VFP is now taking that message directly to GIs in
- Tucson AZ, near Ft. Wauchuca
- New Orleans, at the Superdome exit off Interstate 10;
- Great Lakes IL, adjacent to the Navy’s largest training facility;
- Norfolk, VA near the world’s largest naval base;
- Waterton,NY outside Fort Drum, home of the 10th Mountain Division
- Columbus, GA outside Ft. Benning
- Others are planned for Minneapolis and Travis AFB in California.
- Similarly, VFP member Robert Mulford has maintained an 18-month vigil with his signs outside Ft. Wainwright, near Fairbanks, home to 1500 Army paratroopers on standby for Minneapolis. (see at top of page)
VFP National President, Susan Schnall, explained, “A good number of VFP members are conscientious objectors and we have always helped active duty troops leave the military as C.O.s.”
“Many others have refused orders in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and most recently to protest U.S. support of Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” added the former Navy nurse, featured in the documentary, “Sir, No Sir!” for disobeying orders and protesting the war in Vietnam. “We know it takes courage. We also know we have to live with ourselves and our consciences long after military service.”
Rory Fanning, former Army Ranger deployed to Iraq and discharged as a conscientious objector said, “Active duty soldiers and National Guard members need to know there are tens of thousands of veterans that will support their decision to refuse illegal orders. Ignoring one’s conscience and the law during times like this will haunt soldiers the rest of their lives. Soldiers should also know that it is far easier to resist in groups than it is to resist on your own.”
VFP has 100 chapters in the U.S. and overseas. Since 1985, its mission has been to “Abolish war as an instrument of national policy.”
The post Veterans’ Billboards to Troops: Refuse Illegal Orders to Kill first appeared on Dissident Voice.
This content originally appeared on Dissident Voice and was authored by Veterans for Peace.