May 2009
Dear Friends,
As a young woman studying abroad in Spain, I remember the first antiwar protest I ever attended. Surrounded by young Spaniards, I joined the march randomly, not knowing where it would take me. Soon the march ended at a building with a tank in front of it. As I listened, I discovered that I was standing in front of the U.S. Embassy in the heart of Madrid.
A young man turned to his friend and said, "Maybe now they will hear us."
I quickly responded, "I hear you."
Four years later, I still hear him.
As a U.S. citizen I feel it is my duty is to protest my country's military occupations, and as a human being I continue to fight for peace and social justice throughout the world. During the past five months, while working as the War Resisters League's Freeman Intern, I have learned just how important the work of WRL is in this fight. That is why I am writing to you today to encourage you to continue your support of and action through the War Resisters League.
Since I began at WRL, I have spent a lot of time working with the Organizing Task Force on a special project to check in with all of the local chapters of the organization. I have had the privilege of talking with WRL groups doing important antimilitarism work throughout the United States. Time and time again I have been amazed by their dedication to ending war and oppression.
I have listened to stories from older activists and found myself envious of the era in which they began their work. The movement was so close-knit and so passionate. Only 40 years ago, a 24- year-old like me would probably have had much less financial worry. Today, in the age of the Internet, gargantuan school loans, and globalization, most of my friends are preoccupied with how they are going to pay their rent, leaving them little time or financial means to focus on the vital task of antimilitarism. That is why it is imperative that WRL continue its efforts to develop and strengthen the movement, adding chapters and organizing young and old alike to become involved in the struggle.
And it is precisely this work that is being done across the country through WRL local chapters. In Socorro, N.M., Richard Epstein and the Socorro WRL are expanding their counter-recruitment efforts this year to include the nearby town of Magdalena. The Portland., Ore., WRL chapter is working on a video about war tax resistance to help explain why and how to resist war taxes. And in Maine, Larry Dansinger and his group are coordinating a youth activism gathering this month. These are only a few examples of the amazing work that is being done throughout the country by WRL members.
In addition to working with valued WRL members who have been working hard to end war for years, I have also had the joy of meeting newer activists who wish to start a chapter in their hometown. Just recently I worked with a group of people in Wilmington, Del., to create a new WRL chapter. The group has already participated in a letter-writing campaign for conscientious objectors and is working on expanding its constituency.
On a regular basis, the WRL national office receives inquiries from people eager to start a local chapter or connect with activists in their area. But there is more work to be done!
I encourage you to become involved in whatever way you can to end the hatred and senseless killing that is going on throughout the world each and every day. The War Resisters League needs your help, whether it is through your donations, activism, or both, to end the cycle of violence and bring about a peaceful end to war.
Jenessa Stark
