AMERICAN LEFT HISTORY

This space is dedicated to the proposition that we need to know the history of the struggles on the left and of earlier progressive movements here and world-wide. If we can learn from the mistakes made in the past (as well as what went right) we can move forward in the future to create a more just and equitable society. We will be reviewing books, CDs, and movies we believe everyone needs to read, hear and look at as well as making commentary from time to time. Greg Green, site manager

Thursday, December 01, 2016

I'm a veteran, this is why I'm going to Standing Rock -Stand In Solidarity With Standing Rock In Its Hour Of Need!

I'm a veteran, this is why I'm going to Standing Rock -Stand In Solidarity With Standing Rock In Its Hour Of Need!

6:59 PM

Socialist Alternative

Dear Socialist Alternative Supporters,

Both the Army Corp of Engineers and the Governor of North Dakota have issued eviction notices to the encampment. At the same time a 2000 strong contingent of military veterans has committed to travel in the next week to Standing Rock to act as human shields against the brutality of police and company security forces. We are passing on the following message from our co-activists in Movement for the 99% and encourage everyone to help:

Friends,

Below is a message from Aaron, one of the Movement for the 99% activists heading to Standing Rock today. He is a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and is heeding the call to join other veterans and medics to stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline. We are asking everyone to help Aaron by chipping in $25, $50 or what you can to help offset his $500 train ticket, supplies, and the threat issued by the Morton County Sheriff's Department of a $1000 fine for bringing supplies to the encampment.

“My name is Aaron and I'm a Veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I'm going to Standing Rock answering a recent call for experienced medics.

Packing my bags for severe winter weather, anticipating possible food shortages, updating my emergency contacts, reviewing my will: this is an altogether too familiar routine for me, I'm preparing to deploy. Only this time, I'm on the side of the downtrodden, on the right side of history. I'm heading out to North Dakota, where I'll join thousands of other veterans as well as many more water protectors, representing hundreds of tribes and thousands of communities.

The next week will be decisive, and those bravely standing for the future of our planet could face police violence the likes of which we've never seen. Local authorities have made clear that they are willing to provide unlimited forces for repression and violence, but it is up to folks like me to provide the medical care everyone needs in camp and during actions.

But I think that the fight won't be won out in the snowy Dakota winter. I think that it will be won when we working people come together in cities across the country in a movement to shut down banks and fossil fuel infrastructure. Many of us have local battles against Big Oil, and fighting those battles, while tying them to #NoDAPL, will put even greater pressure on the ruling elites to back off where the flame is hottest.

Aaron
Sgt. (USA Retired)"

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