«The war in Iraq is in fact illegal. It is my obligation and my duty to refuse any orders to participate in this war. An order to take part in an illegal war is unlawful in itself. So my obligation is not to follow the order to go to Iraq.» – Lt. Ehren Watada  

On Thursday, November 8th, supporters of Lt. Watada rejoiced to learn of the preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle to halt any further court martial proceedings of Lt. Ehren Watada until the conclusion of the habeas corpus proceedings.

The court held that Lt. Watada is likely to succeed at demonstrating that the military judge acted ‘irrationally, irresponsibly, precipitately’ and abused his ‘discretion,’ that the judge failed to consider feasible alternatives to a mistrial and there was no good reason for having stopped the trial in February, 2007. Incredibly, the Army has announced its intent to file briefs in U.S. District Court to try to prevent the injunction from becoming permanent.  Friends and Family of Lt. Watada encourage Watada supporters everywhere to organize vigils on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month until Lt. Watada is discharged from the Army. LET’S MAKE THE NOVEMBER 17TH VIGIL ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE AND SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE — IT’S TIME FOR THE ARMY TO DROP THE CHARGES AGAINST LT. WATADA, AND IT’S TIME FOR MAINSTREAM MEDIA, ORGANIZATIONS & PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN THE CONSTITUTION TO SPEAK OUT:·                                

 No 2nd court martial for Lt. Watada! ·                                

 Drop all charges against Lt. Watada! ·                                

 Release Lt. Watada and grant him an honorable discharge!  

The season of Thanksgiving is the optimum time for us to express appreciation and stand tall with Lt. Ehren Watada. He remains the single military officer to very publicly oppose the war. Lt. Watada stated his reasons clearly and each day exhibits great courage in his lonely military environment. For his act of conscience in refusing to deploy to Iraq, the military tried him once unsuccessfully. By attempting to convene a second trial, they violate his rights under the 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects any constituent — military or civilian — from being tried twice for the same charges, when the reason for ending the trial was arbitrary and an abuse of judicial discretion.

We thank Lt. Watada for remaining steadfast in his belief that the Iraq War is illegal and unconstitutional. Metaphorically, he is the lone person standing before the tank. As Lt. Watada continues to be prosecuted, let us tell him and the world that he is recognized. He is appreciated, and he is not alone. At this time of Thanksgiving, keep Lt. Watada’s case alive and vital! Send a note of thanks to acknowledge his true patriotism and ethical, responsible understanding of duty as a citizen and as a military officer.