| Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) |
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Congressman
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb. 7) - "Justice prevailed today as Lt. Watada's court martial was declared a mistrial," said Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH). "The court improperly denied Lt. Watada's right to a defense by blocking him from explaining why he believes the war in Iraq is illegal," Kucinich said. "Procedural decisions by the court have effectively denied Lt. Watada the right to engage in a protected activity -- freedom of speech. "If the order to deploy had come from a captain or colonel, the court may have allowed Lt. Watada to present evidence in his own defense. But since the order Lt. Watada opposed came from the Commander-in-Chief, the court refused his defense. Lt. Watada was out of uniform on leave more than a year ago when he delivered a speech to the Veterans for Peace, where he questioned the legality of the war. He is the first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq, but he did volunteer to serve in Afghanistan. He was charged with conduct unbecoming an officer and missing movement for refusing to leave last June with his unit, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. "This is a significant ruling which empowers people to speak out against this unjust war," Kucinich said. Wednesday, February 07 Press Release from the Office of Congressman Kucinich |
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