Courage to Resist facts for kids
Courage to Resist (CTR) is a group that started around 2003, during the early days of the Iraq War. This group is based in San Francisco, California, but helps people all over.
CTR's main goal is to support U.S. military members who refuse to fight in wars or follow certain orders. They help these individuals, sometimes even with money for legal costs. Two well-known people they have helped are Chelsea Manning and Reality Winner.
Since 2018, CTR has also encouraged soldiers to speak out against military actions at detention camps and other places related to immigrants. Their main sayings are “Supporting the troops who refuse to fight!” and "Towards a World Without War!" They stand by those who face trouble for following their conscience, especially when they disagree with wars or unfair policies.
Contents
How Courage to Resist Started
The Iraq War began in 2003. Many people around the world protested this war. On February 15, 2003, huge demonstrations took place globally. Even some U.S. military members decided to resist.
One of the first was Stephen E. Funk, a Marine Reservist. On April 1, 2003, he held a press conference. He publicly announced that he would not take part in the war. Many civilians and veterans supported Funk. As more soldiers refused orders, a bigger support group was needed. Courage to Resist was formed to help these soldiers.
Jeff Paterson's Story
Jeff Paterson was one of the first people to support Stephen Funk. Paterson was also a former Marine. He was the first soldier to publicly refuse orders during the first Iraq War in 1990.
Jeff had been a Marine for five years. He was about to leave the military. But then, his orders changed, and he was told to go to the Persian Gulf. On August 7, 1990, his unit was getting on a plane in Hawaii. Jeff sat down on the ground and refused to move. A week later, he told reporters, “I will not be a pawn in America’s power plays for profit and oil in the Middle East.” Jeff Paterson helped start Courage to Resist. He has worked as the Project Director for many years.
Standing Against Wars
Courage to Resist supported many soldiers who spoke out against the Iraq War. These included Army Staff Sergeants Camilo Mejia and Kevin Benderman. They also helped Navy Petty Officer Pablo Paredes and Army medic Agustin Aguayo. Other soldiers they supported were Private First Class Robin Long and Army First Lieutenant Ehren Watada.
CTR helped by raising money for public support and legal defense. They also held rallies near military bases where soldiers were facing trials. They protested at military recruiting stations. CTR also took part in national events to oppose the Iraq War and support soldiers who resisted.
Opposing the War in Afghanistan
CTR also supported early resisters to the War in Afghanistan (2001–present). These included soldiers like Victor Agosto and Travis Bishop.
Supporting Israeli War Resisters
Members of Courage to Resist traveled to Israel and Palestine. They met with former Israeli soldiers. These soldiers shared their experiences of being part of military actions. CTR decided to support young people who resist the Israeli military.
In 2008, CTR helped create a statement. Twenty-six U.S. soldiers and veterans signed it. These individuals had refused to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. The statement supported Israeli Shministim. This Hebrew word means "12th graders." These young people were also refusing military service. In 2018, CTR supported Tamar Ze’evi, a 15-year-old. She spent 115 days in jail for refusing to join the Israeli army.
Helping Chelsea Manning
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In April 2010, a video was released by WikiLeaks. It showed a U.S. helicopter attack in Baghdad. Eleven unarmed Iraqi civilians were killed, including two reporters. Two children were also badly hurt. This video quickly spread online and through the news.
On May 27, 2010, Chelsea Manning was arrested. She was accused of sharing secret information. Within days of her arrest, CTR joined others to defend her. They helped raise money for her legal defense. On August 21, 2013, she was sentenced to 35 years in prison. She also lost her rank and pay. This was a very long sentence for someone who shared information with the public. Many people criticized it.
Throughout her trial and the seven years she spent in Leavenworth prison, CTR supported her. They provided financial help through the Chelsea Manning Support Network. Chelsea Manning's main lawyer, David Coombs, said that CTR was key to her early release. Manning herself thanked Courage to Resist on the NBC Today show. She thanked them for raising awareness and helping with her legal team.
Counter-Recruiting Efforts
Courage to Resist also works to counter U.S. military recruiting. This includes efforts by the military to influence and recruit young people. CTR has organized protests and vigils outside military recruiting centers. Once, they even caused a Marine recruiting center to close for several hours. They use materials from groups like the Stop Recruiting Kids campaign.
Supporting Reality Winner
Reality Winner was a former U.S. Air Force intelligence specialist. She was arrested on June 3, 2017. She was accused of sharing a secret report about Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections with a news website.
After her arrest, CTR started a campaign. They demanded that the charges against her be dropped. CTR helped create the Stand With Reality support committee. This group said that the charge against Winner was too harsh for what she was accused of doing. They believed it was meant to scare others from sharing important information with reporters. On August 23, 2018, Reality Winner was sentenced to five years in prison. Since her conviction, CTR has joined others in asking for her to be pardoned or released early.
Helping Immigrants
Courage to Resist's newest campaign is against using U.S. military members in immigrant detention camps and at U.S. borders. CTR has created materials that encourage soldiers to question orders related to immigration. They support soldiers who have publicly spoken out. For example, U.S. Army Captain Brittany DeBarros uses social media to share her opposition. She said, “I didn’t take an oath to defend illegal war abroad and immigrant concentration camps at home. True leaders refuse illegal and immoral orders.”
See also
- Iraq Veterans Against the War
- Concerned Officers Movement
- GI's Against Fascism
- GI Coffeehouses
- Movement for a Democratic Military
- Opposition to United States involvement in the Vietnam War
- Presidio mutiny
- Sir! No Sir!, a documentary about the anti-war movement within the ranks of the United States Armed Forces
- Vietnam Veterans Against the War
- List of anti-war organizations
- List of peace activists
- War Resisters League
- Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors
