Courage to Resist

How One Coffee Shop in Washington State is Providing a Haven For War Resisters

The milk frother screams as a couple of young soldiers in camouflaged combat uniforms peruse the lit table. All around them are the familiar surroundings of a coffeehouse: posters on the wall, tables and chairs, and shelves stuffed with used books. Yet this café, just across the street from the sprawling Ft. Lewis Army Base in Washington, is not your ordinary coffeehouse.

"Support War Resisters: Iraq Veterans Against the War," reads a huge banner on the wall. GI Rights handcards sit next to the cash register and manuals about "getting out" cover the lit table. Social movement history books fill the bookshelves, and a picture on the wall shows a soldier throwing a grenade with a caption that reads, "What am I doing here?" The sign on the front window declares "COFFEE STRONG. Veteran Owned and Operated."

Opened four months ago, COFFEE STRONG provides a free Americano, as well as wireless internet and computer use, to all military enlisted persons. More importantly, it provides a space off-base for soldiers to question their service, talk about the war, and explore the possibilities of GI resistance. When GIs walk in, they are met with information about topics ranging from GI resistance to counseling and advocacy services for veterans. And they are greeted by a barista who is himself a young veteran against the war.

COFFEE STRONG follows in the tradition of the GI coffeehouse movement of the 60s and 70s, when anti-war activists and resisting GIs set up coffeehouses at several military bases throughout the U.S. -- from Colorado Springs, CO to Tacoma, WA, to Maldraugh, KY -- to provide a physical space for anti-war GIs to congregate, speak freely, and strategize their role in the anti-war movement. GI resistance during the Vietnam War was a key factor in forcing the United States to end the war.

This GI coffeehouse, 40 miles south of Seattle, joins a handful of cafes that have sprung up at U.S. military bases since the beginning of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Different Drummer Cafe, at Ft. Drum in upstate New York, aims to promote "the free and uncensored exchange of ideas and information among active duty and reserve military personnel and civilians." Under the Hood Coffeehouse in Ft. Hood, Texas, and the Off Base café in Norfolk, Virginia, also provide places for active duty troops to question their own participation in war.

At a time when the Obama Administration has announced plans to send 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan this spring and summer, in addition to the 36,000 that are already there, these GI coffeehouses reach out to a population facing the possibility of imminent deployment.

We had the opportunity to speak with two of the key organizers of COFFEE STRONG: Seth Manzel and Michael William. In this interview, Seth Manzel talks about the vision and goals of the GI coffeehouse. And Michael William discusses the nuts and bolts of getting the coffeehouse up and running. Both are active members of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW).

SETH MANZEL

Courage to Resist: What was the original vision of COFFEE STRONG?

Seth Manzel: Originally we started out with the idea of having a web page, radio station, and coffeehouse. The purpose was to promote general awareness of veterans' issues and to promote GI rights and GI resistance. The radio station played music, as well as speeches by Martin Luther King Jr., Noam Chomsky, and Malcom X.

We had never envisioned that the coffeehouse would turn out so nice, because we thought we couldn't get the money for it. But it turned out pretty good.

Courage to Resist: What were some of the goals you hoped to achieve by creating COFFEE STRONG?

Seth Manzel: To give people in the military and veterans a space and voice to express themselves. The coffeeshop is supposed to be a place where they can express themselves freely.

Courage to Resist: What kind of reaction do you get from active duty GIs?

Seth Manzel: Overwhelmingly positive, with the exception of one who referred to GI rights people as barracks lawyers. I haven't heard of any negative reactions besides that. Everyone has been pretty positive.

Courage to Resist: What about literature?

Seth Manzel: Yeah, we have lit available on stuff from GI rights to military rape to job mentoring after they separate from the military. Also, we have free books for soldiers. We put out a call on the internet to get free books from people, to get soldiers involved in the movement.

Courage to Resist: So do you feel that the coffeehouse is living up to the vision set out with?

Seth Manzel: Yes it is. The primary goal is promoting ideas and providing space for soldiers, and it has met that goal. As far as creating a movement in the military, we have been working hard on that and we need to be diligent about promoting ourselves to soldiers. If we want to turn this into something that has a strong effect on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have to work even harder.

Courage to Resist: Has COFFEE STRONG helped you build the local IVAW chapter?

Seth Manzel: Some people have come and taken membership forms and I know numbers have gone up. There is a lag time between people finding out about IVAW and people actually signing up. I know regularly have to replace membership forms, which means people are taking them. The coffeehouse has also been a tool to activate the existing membership and give them a place to go regularly.

Courage to Resist: How many active duty troops are involved in local anti-war stuff?

Seth Manzel: We have two. One is our secretary and the other is a soldier who comes in from time to time. We have a constant turnover because people come in and out of the army. It is hard to keep a constant base of active duty people.

Courage to Resist: When people come in, how do you engage them?

Seth Manzel: Generally they are a little mystified about what we are there for when they see sign on the wall we support war resisters. They ask us how long we have been here. We tell them about the project and about GI rights and VA benefits and things like that, and usually that gets people pretty excited.

The military has said that they will treat us like any other business. As far as being blacklisted, the Shelter Half, which was the GI coffeehouse that was here during the Vietnam War, was blacklisted. The Shelter Half sued the army and won, and the army had to take them off the list. Since then, the army has been careful. If they blacklisted us, it would be the best publicity we could get. Attendance would double.

Courage to Resist: Do you see COFFEE STRONG as a part of the larger coffeehouse movement?

Seth Manzel: Yeah absolutely. Since we've opened, there have been two more coffeehouses that have opened their doors. We see it as a growing thing. The Different Drummer Coffeehouse is having trouble keeping their doors open. We hope they can get the financial help they need. I have heard rumors of people trying to start a fifth coffeehouse in Colorado. We hope that eventually there will be one in every military base in the nation.

Courage to Resist: What significance does Obama' plan to send 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan have for your work here?

Seth Manzel: I think it gives it more significance because Afghanistan is kind of the forgotten war. A lot of people are returning from Afghanistan with the same problems they return from Iraq with, yet they are less recognized for it. We plan to oppose the conflict in Afghanistan with the same energy we oppose the conflict in Iraq.

Courage to Resist: What motivates you to do this kind of work?

Seth Manzel: I did a lot to wrong the world at one point when I was deployed to Iraq. I know I can never make amends for that but I can do my best to prevent more wrongs from done.

MICHAEL WILLIAM

Courage to Resist: First of all, tell me a little bit about yourself and how you came to be involved in COFFEE STRONG.

Michael William: I became involved with Iraq Veterans Against the War a few months after I went AWOL back in fall 2007 and I was working as a barista in downtown Seattle. I've been working as a barista since 2004 I believe, since I was a student at the university of Washington. I heard about this project when it was just a pipedream, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it. It seemed like a perfect fit so I asked Seth if I could be a barista, and he said sure thing. So I started promoting our fundraisers pretty heavily.

Courage to Resist: In what way was it a perfect fit?

Michael William: Well, I'm dedicated to the cause and I know how to make good coffee!

Courage to Resist: And how did you all get to the point where the pipe dream turned into a reality? How did you make the cafe happen?

Michael William: I helped them put together a list of everything we needed to get started. I scoped out the business before we acquired it. I've also secured free coffee from one of the best roasters in Seattle, Stumptown Coffee Roasters.

Courage to Resist: Did it take a whole community of people to get the coffeehouse off the ground?

Michael William: Oh definitely. There were news articles about us, for instance, and then Tom Tully O'keefe read one of these (he's the CEO of Tully's) and he decided he wanted to help us out. So he contacted Seth and set us up with free equipment. It was so wonderful. I got to tour the Tully's warehouse and pick out the equipment!

Courage to Resist: You get other donations from the community as well, right?

Michael William: Oh yeah. Everything we have is donated. Our website, coffeestrong.com lists all of the things we need. I also make announcements and updates on Facebook. And then people send us stuff. For instance, i really wanted a piano for the joint, and then one day i get a call from one of our supporters and she's picking up a piano from goodwill.

The coolest thing that gets sent our way is the resources and services for soldiers veterans and their family members.

Courage to Resist: It sounds like people are excited about what you are doing and want to support it.

Michael William: Yeah, I mean, we didn't open this place just to sell coffee or play piano.

Courage to Resist: What advice would you have for folks who are interested in starting their own GI coffeehouse or supporting yours?

Michael William: First, locate local resources. If you want to know who is involved in your area with GI rights counseling, call the GI Rights Hotline: 877-447-4487.

Seth had already created GI Voice, a corporate structure through which all the business is taken care of, and to tell you the truth, I do not know what steps it takes to do that, to get a corporate charter.

You need to scout out the area you have in mind, look at the prices for rent, and put together a budget.

If people want to know the fine details on what you need to get a place up and running, we would really recommend that they call us.

But I also want to point out that if people want to do something similar to this they don't necessarily need to have a coffeehouse. They could also start an antiwar bookstore or other sort of business. People should get creative about what they are doing, so long as they are making it a priority to get resources to soldiers, veterans and their family members. Really, any environment where troops hang out.

To find out more about COFFEE STRONG, go to www.coffeestrong.com

War Resister Robin Long Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison

This is an update to AlterNet's previous story on the case of Robin Long.

Robin Long, an Iraq War resister deported from Canada into U.S. military custody last month, was sentenced today to 15 months of confinement and dishonorable discharge, receiving credit for 40 days of time served.

Long's supporters, who flooded the Fort Carson, Colorado courtroom where the court martial was held and held a vigil in his honor, expressed dismay at the harsh verdict. "It sets a very chilling precedent that someone who is brought back gets the book thrown at them," said Ann Wright, a retired U.S. Army Colonel who publicly resigned in opposition to the invasion of Iraq and served as a witness at Long's trial. "I hope the Canadian government recognizes that."

Three years ago, Robin Long fled to Canada rather than fight a war in Iraq he deems immoral and illegal. On July 15th, the Canadian government forcibly returned Long to U.S. military custody, making him the first war resister deported from Canadian soil since the Vietnam War.

The Canadian government's actions flaunt its long-standing tradition of providing safe haven for U.S. war resisters and ignore a non-binding parliamentary resolution to allow U.S. soldiers to stay in Canada.

Long is a part of a growing movement of GI resistance against the Iraq War, and his case has been met with widespread support from friends and allies throughout the United States and Canada

Court Martial

Long's court martial was held near Colorado Springs, where he was charged with desertion "with intent to remain away permanently." He was given the maximum time of confinement negotiated in a pre-trial agreement, despite the testimony of several supporters, including Colonel Ann Wright and Matthis Chiroux, an army journalist who recently refused to deploy to Iraq. Long's sentence stands as one of the longest handed to an Iraq War resister.

Long gave an impassioned testimony at his trial, in which he declared that he was still convinced that he had done the right thing morally, even if he did not make the most prudent legal and tactical decisions. He said that he was glad that he did not go to Iraq but wishes that there was another option available to him other than facing court martial and confinement.

The trial was packed with Long's supporters, including members from Iraq Veterans Against the War, Veterans for Peace, and the Peace and Justice Coalition of Colorado Springs. The courtroom was so full that many of his supporters had to wait outside. When Long stepped out of the courtroom, he was met with throngs of people who cheered him on loudly, despite being pushed across the street by military police. Long's supporters have spent months rallying on his behalf, and Courage to Resist raised funds for his civilian lawyer, James Branum.

"I think it was a long sentence but it was positive that he got his day in court and got to speak up and say what he believed," said Mr. Branum. "His spirits were relatively good. Having two war resisters show up at his trial meant a lot to him."

Colonel Wright says that she is disappointed in the steep verdict, but she believes the outcome would have been far worse if Long had not received such overwhelming support. "Once soldiers are returned to military control, it is in the best interest of everyone if there is support for war resisters.

Who is Robin Long?

Born in Boise, Idaho, Robin Long was raised in a military family, playing with G.I. Joes and dreaming of one day joining the service. Upon enlisting in the Army in June 2003, the recruiter promised that Long would not be sent to Iraq. Long was excited about this chance to serve his country and finally make something with his life, and he headed off for basic training feeling he had made the right decision. "When the United States first attacked Iraq, I was told by my president that it was because of direct ties to al Qaeda and weapons of mass destruction," Long told Courage to Resist in an interview in January. "At the time, I believed what was being said."

Over the next few months, Long's enthusiasm began to wane. His drill sergeant repeatedly referred to Iraqi people as "ragheads" and led the troops in racist cadences. When Long protested, he was punished by senior officers and alienated by his peers. At this point, Long began to suffer a crisis of conscience. "I was hearing on mainstream media that the U.S. was going to Iraq to get the weapons of mass destruction and to liberate the Iraqi people, yet I'm being taught that I'm going to the desert to, excuse the racial slur, 'kill ragheads.'"

After basic training, Long was transferred to the nondeployable unit at Fort Knox. Upon meeting soldiers returning from Iraq, Long was horrified by their stories of violence and brutality. Soldiers bragged about their "first kills" and showed pictures of people they shot or ran over with tanks. "I had a really sick feeling to my stomach when I heard about these things that went on," he said.

In 2005, Long received orders to go to Iraq. The only soldier to be deployed from his unit, Long received a month's leave to check out of Fort Knox and report to Fort Carson, Colorado. He was scheduled to deploy to Iraq a few weeks later.

While on leave, Long educated himself about the "behind the scenes" story of the Iraq invasion. He talked to friends about whether to go through with his deployment. By his scheduled departure day, Long had made the decision not to go. He skipped his flight and stayed in a friend's basement in Boise over the next few months. From there he caught a ride to Canada. "I knew that my conscience couldn't allow me to go over there (to Iraq)," he said.

Long spent the next three years building a life for himself in Canada. He met a woman, had a child and established contact with other war resisters in Canada. Long applied for refugee status on the grounds that he was being asked to participate in an illegal war and would suffer irreparable harm if he returned to the United States. Not only was his bid rejected, but Canadian authorities responded by mandating that Long report his whereabouts every month. He eventually settled in Nelson, a small town in British Columbia.

Orders for Deportation

Robin Long found his new life in Canada to be increasingly precarious.

He was issued a warrant for arrest by the Canadian Border Services Agency on July 4 of this year, on the grounds that he did not adequately report his whereabouts to the authorities, and he was told a few days later that he would be deported to the United States. Long appealed the order, and his supporters rallied throughout the United States and Canada, urging Canadian authorities to let him stay. Despite these efforts, Long was deported on July 15, after the judge ruled that he would not suffer irreparable harm if returned to the United States.

Long's family remains in Canada, and before the trial, he expressed concern about the separation, which could last a number of years. "I have a son I wouldn't be able to see. It's kind of hard to think about that," he told Courage to Resist.

Canada is home to an estimated 200 U.S. soldiers refusing to serve in the Iraq War, and 64 percent of Canadians favor granting them permanent residence, according to a June 27 Angus Reid Strategies poll. The Canadian House of Commons passed a non-binding resolution June 3rd, calling for a stop to the deportation of U.S. soldiers and allowing them to apply for permanent residency in Canada, but the resolution was ignored by the conservative Harper administration. Several other war resisters living in Canada face the immediate threat of deportation, including Jeremy Hinzman, who received a deportation order for September 23rd.

"We would hope that the Canadian government allow the men and women who refuse to fight a war that Canadians also refuse to fight to stay up there, especially after seeing the heavy punishment that Robin Long faces," said Ann Wright.

A Growing Movement Against the War

The high profile of Long's case is also a sign of the growing significance of the GI movement against the Iraq War. As the war effort becomes increasingly unpopular, more and more soldiers are speaking publicly against the invasion and refusing to serve out their contracts, with high-ranking military officials like Ehren Watada publicly denouncing military atrocities, despite facing harsh penalties for doing so.

Meanwhile, Iraq War veterans are teaming up with war resisters and other civilian and veteran supporters to build the GI movement against the war. Iraq Veterans Against the War, whose membership consists of people who have served in the U.S. military since September 11th, 2001, has been active in supporting Long and other war resisters. Several other groups, such as Courage to Resist and the War Resisters Support Campaign (Canada), have risen to support soldiers willing to take a stand. The orders for Long's deportation were met with protests throughout the United States and Canada.

"Veterans and war resisters are beginning to see that they are in the same boat, that they are brothers and sisters, and it is one struggle," said Gerry Condon, a Vietnam War resister and active supporter of the GI movement against the Iraq War. "The fact that people are showing this kind of solidarity with each other is really profound. Resistance within the military is certainly growing."

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How One Coffee Shop in Washington State is Providing a Haven For War Resisters

Why is the Canadian Government So Intent on Deporting War Resisters?

War Resister Robin Long Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison