A mock cemetery of U.S. Military Teen Casualties was done in SB, Calif. today Friday, July 17, 2009 calling for the immediate end of war & occupation from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Palestine. The local mock Teen Cemetery was begun @10am in SB, Calif. @SBCC on the West Campus lawn across from the campus library overlooking Leadbetter Beach on the Pacific Ocean. The even
t is sponsored by the SB Vets for Peace, Chapter 54 and consisted of 319 mock "Tombstones" representing 18 & 19 year old casualties from the Iraq & Afghanistan conflicts. Students, staff & visitors passing by were asked to place a placard of a colored photo & information of a teen casualty on the "Tombstones".
Information about the cost of war and the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Palestine were shared. An SBCC form for students to be taken off the military's recruitment list, in opposition to the Solomon Amendment was distributed. The Solomon Amendment allows Colleges & Universities to give student names, phone #'s and other private information to 17 components of the U.S. Military Service each term. Students can prevent the release of their information to the Military Recruiters by using the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA), of 1974 to withold the release of their "Directory Information" to the military.
Two petitions were circulated @ the memorial to be sent to Congress to:
1. Stop the Military Use of Depleted Uranium for VFP, Chapter 116, P.O. Box 96, Albion California, 95410
2. A Countdown To Withdrawal From Iraq; funding for an Iraqi-led recounstruction of the country; take care of veterans upon their return home; no more pre-emptive wars; and no detours to Afghanistan. For American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), 637 S. Dearborn, 3rd. Fl., Chicago, Il 60605 or www.countdowntowithdrawal.org
Local TV KEYT NEWS Channel 3 were present to film and interview volunteers & participants, to be viewed on Friday, July 17, 2009 @ 6 pm.
Reporters were also present from the SB Independent Newspaper for Photos & article to come out on Thurs. July 23, 2009.
