Behind the Scenes Look at Resistance Against Deployment of 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment to Iraq

Iraq vet: "I'm here because I think I can give some hope to these soldiers, especially if they want to resist... You don't have to go and murder people if you don't want to. You can stand up. These feelings and these doubts that you're having, they are legitimate feelings. And don't ever let those feelings go away. Because that's when you lose your humanity. Hopefully we can change some minds today."

Five peace activists successfully blockaded six buses carrying Fort Hood Soldiers deploying to Iraq outside Fort Hood's Clarke gate this morning at around 4 a.m. While the activists took the width of Clarke Rd. and slowed the buses to a halt, police made no arrests, but instead beat the activists out of the streets using automatic weapons and police dogs so the deploying Soldiers could proceed.

Among those blockading were three veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and one military spouse. The action, organized by a group calling themselves "Fort Hood Disobeys," was aimed at preventing the deployment of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment Soldiers to what the veterans termed an illegal and immoral occupation.

While standing in the street, the activists held banners reading "Occupation is a Crime" and "Please Don't Make the Same Mistake We Did. RESIST NOW." From the TX HW-190 overpass, additional supporters attempted to hang larger banners that read, "Tell the Brass: 'KISS MY ASS' Your family needs you more" "Sick of Fighting Your Wars" and "Col. Allen [3 ACR Commander]: Do not deploy wounded Soldiers."

This latest deployment comes less than two weeks after President Obama announced the second end to combat operations in Iraq. FHD organizers denounced this as a lie, and pointed to the deployment of the 3rd ACR, a combat regiment, to Iraq as clear proof. They have stated they will continue to organize direct action in the Fort Hood community to oppose the wars as long as troops continue to deploy.

The action organizers have established a website at: http://forthooddisobeys.blogspot.com

All live broadcasts from the day are archived at: http://bit.ly/b1WEyv

For more information or to arrange coverage of today's events, call 347-613-8964 or write to forthooddisobeys@hushmail.com

To learn more please visit: http://www.underthehoodcafe.org

Article by Matthis Chiroux
Aug. 23, 2010 (KILLEEN, TX)

Special thanks to Malachi Muncy for extra video footage!

This is a ZGraphix production.
Produced by Jeff Zavala.
http://zgraphix.org

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