Fw: VFP members resist arresst threats...counter recruiting in Ca.

[Guest guest]

When I purchased a home in upstate NY back in the early 1980s, I was

told I could cancel the purchase offer within 72 hours with no penalty. Seems to

me the same should apply to enlisting.

 

Alobar

 

Thursday, June 23, 2005 9:42 PM

VFP members resist arresst threats...counter

recruiting in Ca.

 

 

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, June 21, 2005

>

> Contact: George Main 916.505-4869 or Cres Vellucci 916.996-9170

>

> Attention: News Desk

>

> Vets hold ground at regional military recruiting station, ignore threats of

arrest to reach young recruits

>

>

SACRAMENTO -- A military veterans organization claimed a major

> victory early Tuesday after members -- despite repeated police warnings of

immediate arrest -- were able to virtually swarm a bus carrying potential

military recruits and distribute literature encouraging them to not enlist to

fight in the war in Iraq.

>

The confrontation Tuesday occurred about a week after a young

> recruit passed through a similar band of veterans, changed her mind and walked

away from the Military Entrance Processing Station. Since then the military has

tried to stop the daily, very early morning protests.

>

> Tuesday, at about 5 a.m., police and military recruiters

> repeated threats that they were going to arrest the veterans and others

gathered at the only military processing facility north of Fresno. However,

about two dozen Veterans For Peace volunteers refused to leave and distributed

information and displayed signs about unfair tactics used by desperate military

recruiters.

>

> " Many of us who have served our time in the military were

> willing to go to jail today if necessary to help these young people

> understand their rights. We've seen war, and we will not be intimidated, " said

George Main, VFP Sacramento president. VFP is present daily as the busses enter

the facility at 5 a.m.

>

>VFP is demanding recruiters -- already caught using

> high-pressure tactics to entice youth to volunteer to fight in Iraq -- offer

new recruits a " 72-hour cooling off " period because recruiters are known for

preying on young people by using intimidation, coercion and fraud to get them to

enlist.

>

>At the MEPS facility, for example, recruits are bussed in at 5

> a.m. and, in effect, detained for 10-12 hours and then coerced into

> signing enlistment papers after enduring high pressure sales tactics

throughout the day.

>

> ____________________

>