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IVAW Calls on the MD National Guard to Stand Down in Baltimore

published by IVAW National on 04/29/15 2:54pm

Photo Credit- Ryan Harvey

Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), a national group of Post 9/11 veterans, calls on the Maryland National Guard to stand down from their mobilization to Baltimore. As 1,000 soldiers currently deploy to put down an uprising of exploited people who have been terrorized by a consistently racist police department, we stand in solidarity with the people of Baltimore and encourage service members and veterans to listen to their fellow community members and to stand on the right side of history. 

We know that the death of yet another black person at the hands of police is not unique or new in our country. We also know that the rage we are seeing in the streets is the direct result of a legacy of police departments and a prison system that dehumanizes and targets black people and people of color and the result of a morally bankrupt economy that continues to profit off of the backs of poor people across the country. We stand with those people who have lifted up the banner of #BlackLivesMatter to ensure that fundamental change takes place in our country.

The irony of the National Guard deployment to quell protests due to the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of police is not lost on us as we approach the 45th anniversaries of both the Jackson State and Kent State shootings, where the National Guard and police were deployed to silence protestors with deadly consequences.

As veterans who have deployed to and served in support of occupations abroad, we see some of the same tactics and military equipment being used by police against the people of Baltimore, just as it was used against the people of Ferguson and Oakland. The increased militarization of our foreign policy and our domestic policing, coupled with racist violence perpetuated by our government, has to stop. The people of Baltimore demanding systemic change should be responded to with dialogue not an escalation of force. We encourage National Guard members across the country, many of whom we have served with, to begin a conversation on how they will respond when it becomes their turn to be mobilized against their own communities. 

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For those looking to support Baltimoreans on the ground consider contributing to this fundraising campaign to provide legal support organized by Baltimore United For Change.

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Voice of Art, the new documentary series on Pharrell Williams' I Am Other YouTube channel, is releasing Part 2 of its new episode entitled “Iraq Veterans Against the War” today, Friday, July 6 2012. The episode features the...

This 4TH of July - Independence for the Afghan People

This video features an exclusive interview with Suraia Sahar of Afghans for Peace (AFP) and Aaron Hughes of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) that was shot a day after a historic march for Justice and Reconciliation to...

Voice of Art documentary series releases new episode featuring historic NATO march led by Iraq Veterans Against the War

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Right to Heal Tour: Chicago

Cable channel CANTV covered the full Righ to Heal Tour stop in Chicago. 

IVAW and NNU Unite for Veterans Right to Heal

IVAW Chicago has teamed up with National Nurses United through the Move the Money coalition to fight for veterans right to heal. Read about the collaberation in this Common Dreams article by Terry Davis. Iraq Veterans...

IVAW featured on Michael Moore

Zach LaPorte a IVAW Milwaukee Chapter leader was published on Michael Moore today.  It was a hot sweaty day, the humidity clung our uniforms to our body as the sweat soaked through. We marched forward to the commands of our...

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