Students, Community Confront Military Recruiting Lies in Colorado Springs

- by Jon and Sam Christiansen

Coming on the heels of reports of military recruiters in Denver encouraging a youth to forge a high school diploma and falsely pass a drug test, Students for Social Justice (SSJ) held a counter military recruitment demonstration in Colorado Springs at the Citadel Armed Forces Recruitment Center. The demonstration was billed "1500 Lies" to reflect the number of American military personnel who have lost their lives in the war in Iraq and the fact that not only was the war based on lies from the Bush administration, but many of the troops fighting in it were lied to by their military recruiters in order to enlist them.

About 50 students from UCCS, CC, PPCC and area high schools as well as many people from the community gathered at noon at the corner of Academy and Galley. From there the group marched north on Academy chanting anti-war slogans, drumming and waving signs such as "Recruiters Lie!" "What's More Important Saving Face or Saving Lives?" and "Support Our Troops - Bring Them Home." Participants also carried banners and peace flags.

The march culminated at the Armed Forces Recruitment Center. The group gathered in front of the Center and handed out information packets to onlookers. The Radical Cheerleaders performed and the crowd cheered along. Since the recruitment center had not opened that day (assumably due to the scheduled protest) for its regular Saturday hours, demonstrators declared the event a victory, shouting "We Won! Nobody is signing up today!" As a way to confront the military recruiting lies, participants in the action taped a banner over the recruiting centers door that read, "You Shouldn't have to Kill to Pay for an Education." The group also taped up a list of common military recruiter lies and counter-points to them.

Among the notable participants was Kelly Dougherty, co-founder of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), and UCCS graduate. Other members of IVAW and military families were also present. An emotional moment in the event occurred when a car pulled to the side of the road to express support for the message and thank the protesters for coming out. The driver and his wife were the parents of a Marine currently fighting in Iraq and the woman stated, "Thank you for caring about him."

Also present at the event were a small number of counter-protesters, holding signs that read "W is still the President," and "Don't Be Gay, Enlist Today." There were heated, but non-violent exchanges between the two groups.

Organizers were pleased with the turnout and the event overall. Participants were especially encouraged by the fact that the recruiting office closed due to the event, and the organizers promised to continue the fight with future actions.

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Jon and Sam Christiansen are the two co-founders of Students for Social Justice in Colorado Springs. Jon is 27 and Sam is 26 and are both currently attending the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) The two have been organizers in Colorado Springs for the past four years working with many local organizations.