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North East Winter Soldier Video

I was among the hundreds of people who attended North East Winter Soldier Saturday at MCC and was completely blown away. The event featured members of Iraq Veterans Against the War sharing the experiences they had while serving in the Iraq war, why they joined the military and what they have experienced since coming home. The stories they told were simultaneously haunting and and inspirational. Click on the links below to see videos of the soldier's testimony, I can't recommend them enough.

Bryan Casler
Robynn Murray
Geoff Millard
Christopher Grohs
Tim Braley

Immediately following the soldier's testimony, members of the audience marched out of MCC and to the VA to demand better health care for veterans. Amazingly, the VA is closed on Saturdays and leaves veterans to fend for their, in terms of health care, over the weekend.

Approximately 200 people took part in the loud, energetic march. Young people from SDS, CAN and other groups took the lead, starting some great chants. The march quickly overflowed the sidewalk into the street, taking over a lane of E. Henrietta road, then the entirety of Westfall. Cars stopped were largely supportive of the crowd, with people inside nodding their heads, pumping their fists and honking to the beat of the chants.

After stopping at the VA, the plan was to simply walk back to MCC, but the group didn't settle for that. Instead the chants began again and the march took back to the streets, this time taking up the entire 5 lanes of E. Henrietta road.

 
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Re: North East Winter Soldier Video

Seriously, this event was incredible. I want to thank all the speakers for having the courage to share their experiences. They were extremely moving and motivating for me and for everyone I talk to. Also that march was awesome, I wish I had some photos to upload of it (does anyone have any they can share?).

I would really love to spread this to a wider audience, both in Rochester and in other places in the North East. So how can we do it? Organize screening parties at people's homes? Set up TV's playing them in public spaces? Do a screening tour? What do folks think?

Finally, the Rochester Anti-War community has been on a roll lately. The walks for peace were were really inspired and this event was one of the best I've ever been to.
 

Re: North East Winter Soldier Video photos

You can find photos of the event here
picasaweb.google.com/rochesteragainstwar

they are in the public domain. please share them for peace
 

Re: North East Winter Soldier Video

The 'Resisting Empire' Speaking Tour makes a stop in Ithaca on Oct.27th: Camilo Mejia & Laila Al-Arian and Oct.31st: Michael Schwartz & Joe Allen. Encourage resistance!
more info visit:
resistingempire.org/Fall_speaking_tour/Home.html
 

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