Dear IVAW Supporter,

I am writing to let you know about an urgent issue that is affecting
several of our IVAW members. Adam Kokesh and Liam Madden are both
very active members and former Marines. Because of their outspoken
opposition to the war, the Marine Corps is threatening to revoke their
honorable discharges and change them to other than honorable.

We cannot allow this suppression of free speech to occur! Adam and
Liam need our help to pay for legal defense and travel to their hearings.

Adam just found out his hearing is in Kansas City on June 4th, less
than two weeks away!

Attached below is a letter from Adam, describing his situation and
asking for your help. Besides financial contributions, we also need
people who are in the Kansas City area to gather support for Adam
before his June 4th hearing.

Please contact me at Kelly@... if you are in the area and would
like to find out how you can help. I will keep you updated on both
Adam and Liam's cases as they unfold.

Thank you so much for your time and support, it really means
everything to our veterans who dare to speak the truth.

In Peace,
Kelly Dougherty
Former Sergeant Army National Guard
Executive Director
Iraq Veterans Against the War
http://www.ivaw.org/

May 22, 2007

Dear Friend of Iraq Veterans Against the War,

My name is Adam Kokesh and I need your help. Because of my involvement
in IVAW, I have been singled out and called for a military hearing to
be made an example of for those of us who have spoken out against the
war. I have been an active member of IVAW for a mere four months, but
have already garnered enough attention to be perceived as a threat by
those using our military to maintain political support for the
occupation of Iraq.

Because my second activation as a reservist extended past my six-year
obligation, I am only in the Inactive Ready Reserve from my honorable
discharge from active duty last November to June 18th. After my
discharge, I moved to Washington, DC to get a Master's in Political
Management at GWU, and joined IVAW. I have since appeared on behalf of
IVAW speaking at concerts, universities, and high schools. I have
written about my views on the occupation and my military experience
for the IVAW website and on my blog.

Most notably, I participated in Operation First Casualty on March
19th. This was a mock combat patrol through Washington, DC in order to
bring home the truth of the occupation of Iraq, because the first
casualty of war is the truth. I appeared in my uniform, without my
name, without rank, and without the patch that says US MARINES. I
received an email of warning about possible violations of the UCMJ for
appearing in uniform at a political event. Instead of ignoring it like
everyone I know who has received similar emails, I wrote a strongly
worded reply admonishing the Major who was "investigating" me for
wasting time on such trivial matters. The text of that email is posted
here.

I soon received a package from the Marine Corps informing me of a
separation hearing to re-separate me with an Other Than Honorable
Discharge. A scan of the complete package can be seen below. I have
sought private counsel for this hearing, as is my right. I intend to
bring as many witnesses as possible to testify to both the character
of my service and the nature of my involvement with IVAW. The Marine
Corps only made it known to us today that the hearing will be held on
June 4, in a mere 13 days. They have also decided to activate me for
the hearing and hold it in Kansas City, home of the Marine Corps
Mobilization Command.

This case is important because the intimidation of servicemen who
speak out will suppress the truth about Iraq. With the help of IVAW, I
intend to fight this to the end and stand up for the rights of all
members of our armed forces. Please support this effort by mailing a
check made out to IVAW with "Adam Kokesh Legal Defense Fund" in the
memo to PO Box 8296, Philadelphia, PA 19101 or by going here, clicking
on "Donate Now" and including "Adam Kokesh Legal Defense Fund" in the
Special Project Support window. Please feel free to email me with any
questions or comments.

Sincerely,

Adam Kokesh

adam@... - Adam's BLOG: http://kokesh.blogspot.com/
----
Dahbud Mensch
http://www.flyingsnail.com/Dahbud/index.html