By Joshua Brollier
Aug 12, 2008
The press has gone out and the word has spread about our non-violent act of civil resistance at Ft McCoy, and I have been reflecting on the event and hoping that our action was an encouragement to the soldiers who are set to deploy to Iraq in 2009. We attempted to enter the base and have conversations with soldiers about their right to refuse illegal orders and to file as conscientious objectors. We also wanted to inform them that Spencer Black is going to introduce a piece of legislature that will potentially keep the 32nd Brigade Combat Team of the Wisconsin National Guard at home- this will be the second to third deployment of many members of the guard.
The thirteen of us who entered the base were eager to hear the Red Arrow’s stories and struggles concerning Iraq and Afghanistan and wanted to gauge their response to upcoming legislature-opening up a dialogue for their input and involvement. Our group was denied entry to the base as was to be expected. This refusal of access was somewhat humorously set against the backdrop of the Alice Cooper concert that took place on the base the night before.
The moment was a bit surreal as we approached the line of civilian contracted base officers, but that disconnect lasted only for an instant as we came closer to the people who would seek to keep us from entering the base. I extended the invitation for the crew to join us in our venture by escorting us to the PX where we could talk with and deliver an open letter to soldiers. My offer was declined and I was outfitted with a stylish pair of zip-cuffs.
The processing was done rather quickly and we were treated with kindness and a good bit of curiosity by the base police. In fact, we were able to dialogue with the officers about the war, Ft McCoy, and the civil-disobedience itself. One of the older officials who wrote my ticket even remarked that he thought that the action was a success! He thanked us for our co-operation and peaceful spirit. As we were being removed from base property, the driver told me that there was a “mutual respect” between us and there seemed to be a genuine connection made there.
So the question remains- was our action a success? I am not sure what would constitute a success after the last 18 years of economic and military warfare against Iraq, but it is a healthy discipline to ask ourselves if we achieved our goals. After we regrouped, Jessica from Christian Peacemaker Teams remarked that it would have been a success if the officers and soldiers had decided to help put an end to the war. I agree. We definitely made progress by bringing a scarcely heard voice to Ft McCoy and by the connections made between ourselves and the community. And we plan to continue with this momentum as we head to the Twin Cities.
However, I think this spirit of optimism and empowerment has to be tempered and cultivated by the harsh reality that many people are facing as a result of our country’s “wars of choice.” I think our ambitions must also be weighed against the long and stubborn history of U.S. militarism and then contrasted by the rich tradition of non-violent resistance that seasoned activists have been engaging in for years. In agreement with our recently incarcerated friend- Kathy Kelly, I am sure that these activists would encourage us to use every non-violent and non-destructive means at our disposal to speak truth to power and demand an end to the violence and imperialism being waged against our brothers and sisters across the globe.
I am also energized and challenged by the determination and fearless activism of groups committed to non-violent change in Iraq (La Onf) and Zimbabwe (Women of Zimbabwe Arise). These courageous souls are risking their lives every time they speak out and they continue to act despite the often brutal consequences. I hope that we can learn from their sacrifices by stepping up our efforts to hold ourselves, our leaders, and our corporations accountable for the destruction of life we have brought to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Tomorrow it is on to “Representative” Ron Kind’s office- one step at a time…
