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News from the Ryan Jackson Court-Martial at Ft. Gordon, GA
By jmb | May 30, 2008
Here’s the news that I emailed to supporters and friend of war resister Ryan Jackson. I was very honored to get to work on Ryan’s case and am very proud of how well he did in speaking truth to power at his court-martial today.
There will be more news soon at www.couragetoresist.org and at www.ryanjackson.info, but I thought I would give a quick report now.
At today’s court-martial hearing at Ft. Gordon, GA, Conscientious Objector Ryan Jackson was given a sentence of:
100 days in prison
a BCD (Bad Conduct Discharge)
Demotion to E-1 (private)
reduction to 2/3 payfor multiple specifications of being AWOL (as well as a minor count of having positive drug test for marijuana).
At the hearing, we argued that Ryan’s actions were an act of civil disobedience that stemmed from his belief that all war is wrong and Ryan himself gave a moving statement in which he expressed his own views on the immorality of war and the necessity of breaking the law for the sake of conscience.
You can find pictures taken after his court-martial, pictures from a vigil/protest held in Ryan’s behalf by local Augusta residents, and the text of a statement that Ryan wrote while in prison for his supporters by clicking here
Pictures taken shortly before Ryan turned himself into military control in April 2008 can be found by clicking here.
One local press account of the pre-court-martial trial can be found at: WDRW.com: Fort Gordon Protest
While the good news is that PFC Jackson will be out of military prison soon, CPT Kenney (the JAG defense counsel who was part of the defense team) and myself are still preparing to make a post-trial relief clemency request from the Commanding General to seek to have the BCD reversed.
Thanks to everyone who helped to get the word out about the case. Also, Courage to Resist is still raising funds to cover Ryan’s legal expenses (they are still about $1000 short) so donations would be very welcome at www.couragetoresist.org.
Please also write PFC Jackson to encourage him to stand strong during his remaining weeks of unjust confinement. His address is: Ryan Jackson; 1050 Remount Rd, Bldg 3107; Charleston SC 29406-3515
Peace,
James
www.girightslawyer.com
Topics: Peace, Personal, Radical/Progressive Law |
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May 30th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I’m curious whether this sentence is about what you expected, worse, or what.