US style-invasions are morally indefensible, even when other countries do it.
by Jeff Paterson, Courage to Resist
To the Russian troops now attempting to occupy Ukraine–tens of thousands of whom are barely-trained and unwilling conscripts: Follow your conscience. Lay down your weapons. Go home, or attempt to get refugee status.
To the peoples of Ukraine: Nonviolent civilian-based defense is likely the optimal strategy for standing up to and driving out invading forces. This Russian military was designed for destruction, not occupation. They can be defeated by people-power resistance.
To the government of Ukraine: Stop forcing all men between the ages of 18-60 to fight. Respect war resisters and conscientious objectors, even in these dark times. Allow all men to seek refuge elsewhere, not just women and children.
To President Putin of Russia: Congratulations! You’ve now joined former US President George W Bush as a full-fledged war criminal with an unjustifiable, unprovoked, imperial war of aggression. Stop this madness now and leave Ukraine. The nearly 44 million people of the nation of Ukraine deserve full self-determination, regardless of your imperial plans. PS. Please don’t start a nuclear war.
But what about… NATO expansionism, mainly imagined Nazis!, unjust US invasions of sovereign nations (from Native American nations to Hawaii to Iraq), and/or some separatists allegedly being mistreated? Nope, none of that comes anywhere close to justifying an invasion of Ukraine.
To the US troops deploying to Europe: Follow your conscience as well. If you believe you might be a conscientious objector or war resister, let’s talk about that. Contact the GI Rights Hotline at 1-877-447-4487, and/or contact us.
City of Enerhodar, residents blocking the main road.
Ukraine Resistance & Russian Anti-War Protests
Messages such as “Russian Soldier, Stop!” and “Don’t kill for Putin’s sake. Go home with a clean conscience.”
Citizens of Russia, don’t let this be done in your name!
St Petersburg: 1000 anti-war protesters detained by police, 2/27/2022
Also in St Petersburg: Yelena Osipova, one of the last survivors of the Siege of Leningrad, arrested for protesting the war.
Russian child detained in police vehicle with her mother for protesting the war.
The people of Melitopol standing against Russian invaders, despite warning shots.
Ukrainian blocking Russian convoy.
Russian soldier who surrendered calls his mom.
Ukrainians “welcome” occupation troops.
“Courage to Resist has helped individuals who have taken brave stands, has been an important bridge between anti-war soldiers and civilians, and has helped both publicize and build the critical component of soldier resistance in ending war.”
Just as American resisters to the wars of aggression in Vietnam and Iraq had to “vote with their feet” to find refuge in Canada, Sweden, France, the U.K. and elsewhere in Europe, Russian resisters to the war of aggression in Ukraine must also be afforded refugee status in places where they can be reunited with their families to live in peace.
Powerful directives, Jeff. And Mike 71’s comment is spot-on. Praying for sanity, diplomacy and peace.
These are such reasonable demands. Resistance is the only conscionable way forward. Anything else feels like pouring fuel on a fire out of control. Thank you for speaking peace.