Agustín Aguayo speaks out against war in Pacific Northwest

Iraq combat veteran and war resister, Agustín Aguayo, speaks out against war in Pacific Northwest July 9-17. (Calendar)

Agustín Aguayo, a 35-year-old Army medic and conscientious objector, was convicted of desertion and missing movement March 6, 2007 in a U.S. military court in Germany. Although he faced a maximum of seven years in prison, Agustín was sentenced to eight months in the brig for following his conscience and refusing to participate in war.

“Before I left for Iraq I searched deep within me, I concluded that if I go over there I can’t take a life. I ultimately said I’ll go, but I’m definitely a conscientious objector. I’m not willing to cross that line, no matter what I can’t take a life.” Two years later, after his application for discharge as a conscientious objector was denied by the Pentagon, Army Spc. Agustín Aguayo went AWOL in order to resist redeploying to Iraq. He will explain why he chose jail instead of redeploying to Iraq. Agustín will be joined by his wife, Helga, who led a grassroots campaign for justice and freedom for him and all military war resisters.

Calendar of Events July 9-17

Monday July 9 – Portland
4 pm Rally and March against the war! Featuring Agustín Aguayo. Agustín will be joined by Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veterans for Peace members. Meet at NE 11th Ave & Holladay St and march to the Broadway Recruitment Center. Sponsored by Students United for Non Violence and the PDX Coalition: Recruiter Watch PDX, Veterans for Peace, American Friends Service Committee, International Socialist Organization, Workers International League, Education Without Borders and Military Counseling Project.

Wednesday July 11 – Portland
7 pm at the Multicultural Center at Portland State University (Room 228 at the Smith Student Union), 1825 SW Broadway Portland. Sponsored by Students United for Non Violence and the PDX Coalition: Recruiter Watch PDX, Veterans for Peace, American Friends Service Committee, International Socialist Organization, Workers International League, Education Without Borders and Military Counseling Project.

Thursday July 12 – Tacoma
7:30 pm at Kings’ Books, 218 Saint Helens Avenue, Tacoma. Sponsored by People for Peace Justice & Healing, and the South Sound Peace & Justice Center. More info: Brianna Copley 253-383-3056, ext 125.

Saturday July 14 – Port Angeles
3pm at the Olympic Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 73 Howe Road, Port Angeles. Sponsored by Veterans for Peace.

Saturday July 14 – Port Townsend
7pm at the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Church, 2333 San Juan Ave, Port Townsend.

Sunday July 15 – Bellingham
7pm at Whatcom Peace and Justice Center, 100 E Maple St (corner of Cornwall and E Maple), Bellingham. Sponsored by Whatcom Peace and Justice Center and Community to Community Development.

Monday July 16 – Seattle
7pm at at University Friends Meeting, 4001 9th Ave NE (University District), Seattle. Featuring Helga and Agustin Aguayo and Iraq Veteran’s Against the War members. Sponsored by Veterans for Peace (VFP), Chapter 92; Troops Home Now Coalition; Western Washington Fellowship of Reconciliation (WWFOR); Iraq Vets Against the War (IVAW); AmericanFriends Service Committee (AFSC); Seattle Draft and Military Counseling Center (SDMCC); Abe Keller Peace Education Fund , Interfaith Network of Concern for the People of Iraq (INOC), Sound Nonviolent Opponent of War (SNOW), Nonviolent Action Community of Cascadia (NACC), International Socialist Organization (ISO), Washington State Physicians for Social Responsibility (WPSR), West Seattle Neighbors for Peace, Courage to Resist.

Tuesday July 17 – Olympia
7pm at Traditions Cafe, 5th & Water St. (Downtown), Olympia. Sponsored by Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace and Courage to Resist.