Camilo Mejia & G.I. Coffeehouse Fundraiser
First United Methodist Church of Tacoma
Tacoma, WA
An organization of recent vets and civilian supporters, G.I. Voice, is planning on opening an internet caf called Coffee Strong near the gates of Fort Lewis. The caf will provide area soldiers with a much-needed hangout away from the military base as well as providing G.I. Rights Counseling, alternative information, and connections to other resources. To help support this project, Camilo Mejia will be speaking here in Tacoma and promoting his memoir, Road From ar Ramadi.
Army Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia became the new face of the antiwar movement in early 2004 when he applied for a discharge from as a conscientious objector. After serving in the Army for nearly nine years, he was the first known Iraq veteran to refuse to fight, citing moral concerns about the war and occupation. His principled stand helped to rally the growing opposition and embolden his fellow soldiers.
Despite widespread public support and an all-star legal team, Meja was eventually convicted of desertion by a military court and sentenced to a year in prison, prompting Amnesty International to declare him a prisoner of conscience.
Now released after serving almost nine months, the celebrated soldier-turned-pacifist tells his own story, from his upbringing in Central America and his experience as a working-class immigrant in the United States to his service in Iraqwhere he witnessed prisoner abuse and was deployed in the Sunni triangleand time in prison. Far from being an accidental activist, Meja was raised by prominent Sandinista revolutionaries and draws inspiration from Jesuit teachings.
As well as supporting the coffeehouse, Camilo will be on hand to share his recent book: Road From ar Ramadi: The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia: An Iraq War Memoir.
To endorse this event or for more information, please contact Alex Bacon at info@givoice.org or 206.214.8823
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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| Event Owner: |
G.I. Voice |
| On BPT Since: |
September 27, 2008 |
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Sales have ended for this event. Tickets may still be available at the door.
Tickets are available for sale at the door starting at 6:30pm for $10.00 on a space-available basis. |
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Dates
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| Start: | Friday Nov 07, 2008 7:00 PM | | End: | Friday Nov 07, 2008 9:00 PM |
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Prices
Location
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First United Methodist Church of Tacoma
621 Tacoma Avenue S
Tacoma, WA 98405
United States |
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