By Russel Brown

As the US is about to release more photos of our abuse of war prisoners around the world, we continue to imprison our own soldiers who spoke out against the war and occupation. Although war resisters around the country have achieved some individual victories, many resisters are locked up in our prisons and others continue to face the same fate. Adopt Resistance has been working since 2008 with other organizations nationally to support resisters. Here are a few status updates on resisters we’ve been supporting:

Jeremy Hinzman: The Canadian federal court recently handed down a negative decision for Jeremy Hinzman and his wonderful family. Jeremy was the first Iraq War Resister who publicly spoke out against the war to ask for refuge in Canada. The Canadian people have welcomed him and continue to fight the prime minister’s effort to have him and other resisters deported. The same judge who granted Kim Rivera (below) leave to appeal upheld the negative decision in the Hinzmans’ Humanitarian & Compassionate appeal application. We have to see what options he has left.

Kim Rivera: Back in January, Kim Rivera and her family were within hours of being deported when a temporary stay was ordered. Kim Rivera is the first female Iraq War Resister to seek refuge in Canada. This week the Federal court has given them leave to appeal the negative decision in their Pre-emptive Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). The federal court will hear the appeal on July 8th.

Matthis Chiroux: After being honorably discharged, Mattis Chiroux was  placed in the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR). He refused orders when he was called back to serve the Army in support of Operation Iraq Freedom based on the illegality of the war and occupation of Iraq. After a court battle, the Army has discharged Chiroux with a “general discharge under honorable conditions”. He will receive all his benefits under the GI bill.

Adopt Resistance is a part of the WNY Peace Center and NYSDAP. You can contact us at adoptresistance@me.com