Brian Willson facts for kids

S. Brian Willson was born on July 4, 1941. He is an American Vietnam veteran and a peace activist. He is also a trained lawyer.

Brian Willson served in the U.S. Air Force from 1966 to 1970. He spent some time as an officer in Vietnam. After leaving the Air Force, he joined groups like Vietnam Veterans Against the War and Veterans For Peace. He later studied law and became a lawyer. Willson has worked in many different jobs. These include helping prisoners and supporting veterans.

As a lawyer and writer, he has looked into U.S. policies in many countries. Since 1986, Willson has visited countries like Nicaragua, El Salvador, Iraq, and Japan. He studies policies that he believes go against international law. Willson teaches others about these policies. He has also taken part in peaceful protests. This includes long fasts and refusing to pay taxes.

Working for Change

Brian Willson worked with important leaders in Massachusetts. He helped State Senator Jack Backman with prisoner rights. He also advised Governor Michael Dukakis on issues for homeless veterans. Willson worked with John Kerry on veteran issues too. He later volunteered for Kerry's campaign for U.S. Senator. After Kerry won, Willson joined his veterans advisory team.

Concord Protest and Injuries

On September 1, 1987, Brian Willson took part in a protest. He and other veterans were protesting U.S. weapons being sent to Central America. They blocked railroad tracks at the Concord, California, Naval Weapons Station. A train came and did not stop. It hit the veterans. Brian Willson was badly hurt. He lost both of his legs below the knee. He also had a serious head injury.

Later, Willson found out that he had been watched by the FBI. The train crew had also been told not to stop the train. Three days after the accident, over 10,000 people gathered. They supported Willson and protested the weapons shipments. Important people like Jesse Jackson spoke at the gathering.

For years after this event, anti-war protesters kept a constant watch at the weapons station. This station shipped many tons of weapons each year.

Willson filed a lawsuit, saying the Navy knew about their protest. He said the train crew had time to stop. An official Navy report later agreed with this. The train crew also filed a lawsuit against Willson. They said they suffered emotional distress. But their lawsuit was dismissed. The judge said Willson did not mean to cause them distress. He thought the train would stop.

In 1990, Willson settled his lawsuit for $920,000. He now uses artificial legs to walk. He also uses a special bicycle called a handcycle to travel.

The music group Boiled in Lead dedicated a song to Willson. It was their version of "My Son John."

Organizations He Helped Create

Brian Willson helped start many groups. These groups worked for peace and education. Some of them include:

• Veterans Education Project (VEP) in Massachusetts.
• Vietnam Veterans Peace Education Network (VVPEN) in New England.
• National Federation of Veterans For Peace (NFVFP) in 1986.
• Veterans Fast For Life (VFFL) in 1986. This was a 47-day fast on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
• Veterans Peace Action Teams (VPAT) in 1987. This group sent teams to Nicaragua and El Salvador.
• Nuremberg Actions at Concord, CA in 1987.
• Institute For the Practice of Nonviolence in 1988 in San Francisco.
• The People's Fast For Justice and Peace in the Americas in 1992. This was another long fast.

Willson was also an early member of Veterans for Peace.

Writing and Films

While working for Senator Jack Backman, Willson investigated problems at Walpole State Prison. He wrote a report about it called "An Exercise In Torture."

Two documentaries have been made about Brian Willson:

• The Healing of Brian Willson (1988) by Idanha Films.
• Paying the Price for Peace: The Story of S. Brian Willson (2016) by Bo Boudart.

He has also written several books:

• On Third World Legs (1992) is his short autobiography.
• Blood on the Tracks: The Life and Times of S. Brian Willson (2011) is a memoir about his life.
• Don't Thank Me For My Service: My Vietnam Awakening to the Long History of U.S. Lies (2018) shares his experiences in Vietnam.

Awards and Recognition

Brian Willson has received many awards for his work for peace and justice. He was given the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award. This award was presented at the Kennedy Library and Museum on September 26, 1992.

See also

• Ron Kovic: Another Vietnam veteran and peace activist. He also became a paraplegic. His autobiography, Born on the Fourth of July, was made into a movie.
• Norman Morrison
• Charlie Liteky
• Roy Bourgeois
• Ben Linder
• GI Coffeehouses
• GI Underground Press
• Rachel Corrie
• Addicted To War
• List of peace activists