Image credit: Veterans for Peace
On Monday, April 20th, 150 veterans and military family members held an act of civil disobedience peacefully protesting, in the Cannon Building rotunda, Washington D.C. Their demand was an end to the immoral Iran war and its funding.
The Veterans, wearing their fatigues, held a moving flag-folding ceremony in memory of the 13 service members killed while a bugler played taps. Each person held a red tulip in remembrance of the Iranians killed by U.S. airstrikes. The red tulip is an Iranian cultural symbol of mourning and sacrifice. Following the ceremony, there was a demand that House Speaker Johnson meet with them to accept the folded flag and to pledge a halt to war funding.
After Capitol Police issued a dispersal order, approximately 67 veterans and military family members refused this order; they were then zip-tied and arrested, including several disabled veterans. As people were arrested, their tulips dropped to the floor, enveloping the scene with the sadness of death. Veterans and military families know all too well the devastating costs of war.
Among those arrested were Mike Prysner, an Iraq War veteran, and Executive Director of the Center on Conscience and War. Mike stated: “The war I was sent to senselessly claimed the lives of thousands of Americans and a million Iraqis. Like the other veterans here with me today, I have spent the last two decades wishing I could turn back the hands of time and refuse to go.” “Service members have that chance right now. Conscientious Objection is your legal right, and we have professional counselors who will fight to ensure you are approved and kept from deployment.” The Center on Conscience and War is asking all military members opposed to the Iran war to call its hotline (877) NO-2-WARS for free, professional counseling.
The protest was the work of a coalition of veteran groups: About Face, Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, Common Defense, Center on Conscience and War, Fayetteville Resistance Coalition, and 50501 Vets. Please click on the organizations to learn more about what they do and how you can join in the effort!
