THE WINTER SOLDIER HEARINGS
History will be made in Washington, DC between March 13 and 16 when Iraq Veterans Against the War will conduct “Winter Soldier” Hearings at which active duty members of the military, veterans, members of military families and others will testify about the real conditions on the ground in Iraq, the impact the occupation has had and is having on both members of the military and their families, and on the Iraqis.
U.S. Labor Against the War encourages its affiliates, members and supporters to organize opportunities for the widest possible audience to view these hearings.
Set up viewing opportunities in union halls, schools, churches and other public facilities; invite members and their families to attend. Organize discussions following the broadcasts.
Distribute information to members about how to tune in to the hearings.
Encourage members to organize viewing parties in their homes and invite neighbors and friends.
Show the hearings during lunch on video monitors and laptops at work where possible.
Show video clips from the hearings at union and labor council meetings and labor events.
Organize “town hall” style events where portions of the hearings can be presented; invite local members of IVAW and Veterans for Peace to comment and lead discussions. Invite members of Congress to attend and respond to what they see and publicly pledge to vote against any new funding for the occupation (other than for the safe withdrawal of all troops).
A satellite feed will be available. Please contact your local cable company to ask that their community/public access station broadcast the hearings. Both Free Speech TV (DishNetwork Channel 9415) and Link TV (DishNetwork Channel 9411 / DirectTV Channel 375) will broadcast a portion of the hearings (Mar 14-15)
Streaming video coverage of the entire hearings will be available on the IVAW website.
IVAW has produced a short video to explain the origin of the Winter Soldier Hearings during the Vietnam War and why IVAW has organized these new hearings.
Here is the tentative schedule of the hearings:
Winter Soldier Schedule – all times are Eastern time zone (Schedule subject to change)
Thursday, March 13 Streaming video only
7:00PM-9:00PM Winter Soldier and the legacy of GI Resistance
Friday, March 14 Satellite TV, internet video, internet audio, radio
9:00AM – 10:45AM Rules of Engagement: Part One
11:00AM – 12:30PM The Crisis in Veterans’ Heathcare
2:00PM – 3:30PM Corporate Pillaging and Military Contractors
4:00PM – 6:00PM Rules of Engagement: Part Two
7:00PM – 8:30PM Aims of the Global War on Terror: the Political, Legal, and Economic Context of Iraq and Afghanistan
Saturday, March 15 Satellite TV, internet video, internet audio, radio
9:00AM – 10:30AM Divide To Conquer: Gender and Sexuality in the Military
11:00AM – 1:00PM Racism and War: the Dehumanization of the Enemy: Part One
2:00PM – 3:30PM Racism and War: the Dehumanization of the Enemy: Part Two
4:00PM – 6PM Civilian Testimony: The Cost of War in Iraq and Afghanistan
7:00PM – 8:30PM The Cost of the War at Home
Sunday, March 16 Internet video, internet audio, radio
10:00AM – 1:00PM The Breakdown of the Military
2:00PM – 3:15PM The Future of GI Resistance
