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About the Campaign
The Conscience and Courage Gathering that took place Feb. 18 -21, 2005 in Nyack, New York at the Fellowship of Reconciliation brought together 30 peace activists from across the United States and Canada. Participants represented FOR local groups, religious peace fellowships, national organizations and networks opposing war who came together to develop strategies to help members of the armed forces who want out on religious or ethical grounds. Out of the conference emerged the campaign, "I Will Not Kill” to affirm the right of conscientious objection and oppose any future draft specifically educating high school and collage age youth such possibilities. For more about the gathering www.forusa.org/programs/disarmament/DisarmConf2005.html Why now?
With the United States expanding its military presence throughout the world and with large amounts of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan the military is being spread thin. Another complication is that military recruiting numbers are currently falling. Depending on the current Bush Administration's foreign policy, there is always a possibility that a draft could be reinstated.
A draft today would call on all 18 to 26-year-old Americans. It would allow for no exceptions for women and college students. This would mean all 18 to 26-year-olds would be eligible, unlike past drafts. The draft was last enacted in 1973 during the Vietnam War. In 2003, when Congress Charles Rangel, D-NY, introduced a bill to reinstate the draft for the Iraq War, he said conscription would force privileged Americans to share the burden of military service now disproportionately carried by the poor and people of color. Another part of Rangel's argument for conscription was that future wars would be made less likely by the reintroduction of the draft. However, history has proven that conscription has never made the Armed Services more equitable, racially or economically. During the Vietnam War, people of color draftees disproportionately served on the front lines. People who are more affluent had, and still have, the means to gain medical deferments, or to secure soft, safe positions. AND the draft has never acted as a deterrent to war. In fact while the draft was in effect, the United States has begun numerous wars. The draft is usually reinstated to ensure a steady flow of soldiers into battle. It is our belief that people have the right to serve, if they so choose to but that no one should be forced to serve involuntarily. As the Friends Committee on National Legislation said, "Compulsory national service would threaten our basic liberty and undermine the very principle of voluntary service to community." The 'I Will Not Kill" campaign was created to support the right of people to have a CHOICE whether or not to serve and to encourage those who would be affected by the poverty draft to check out the reality of the military and know that they have alternatives to enlisting. The campaign's other intent is to work to establish a culture of life where U.S. resources are redirected to address more of the root causes of violence and to advocate more equality by providing jobs, education and health care. To read more about the history of the draft visit: http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/rcah/html/ah_019500_conscription.htm |
