Oct 30, 2020
We come together as U.S. military veterans in acknowledgement that this election will have pivotal impacts on our communities and around the world. The lines governing the appropriate, legal, and ethical use of the military have become dangerously blurred in ways that raised an alarm among even the most senior of defense officials. We know there are significant concerns about the deployment of National Guard units in connection with the election or civilian protests. These concerns go to the heart of American democracy, and the role of the military in domestic affairs and politics. They implicate the constitutional rights of communities freely expressing themselves and their right to vote. But there are key things we know with certainty and cannot remain silent in the face of these concerns.
As we confront a deadly pandemic, social unrest, and a hurting nation, we have seen regular people of all stripes be the true heroes, and do whatever it takes to be counted in our democracy.
We know failing to speak up during an unsafe, unethical, or illegal use of the military would make us complicit in the impacts on our communities at home and those watching abroad.
We know from experience that troops are sometimes put in questionable positions or asked to do things they have not been properly equipped or trained to do. We also know they can be told that they have no choice. More pointedly, we know the real danger lies in technically lawful but unethical orders or that which is flat out illegal.
There is no valor in escalating fear or participating in officially-sanctioned use of force against communities. There is no honor in hurting the very people we took an oath to serve.
It is critical that the military community carefully consider what’s at stake and prepare to make difficult, values-based decisions about the role we play. If the National Guard or military members are locally or federally activated in connection with the election or protests, there are significant ethical, safety, and legal implications. You have a duty to yourself and the people of the United States to at least report the situation and/or look into your options (
http://bit.ly/troophelp).
Some examples of the kinds of things you might want to be wary of:
•Lack of training and/or appropriate gear for the role you’re being asked to play
•Failure to adhere to appropriate COVID precautions like lack of PPE, etc.
•Being used in partisan ways intended to suppress or unduly influence the vote
•Being asked to suppress constitutionally protected protest
Look to organizations standing by to support our community in this historic moment.
Throughout history, using combat troops against those exercising their fundamental rights has led to human rights abuses and assaults on civil liberties. We never want to see a confrontation between the Armed Forces of the United States and the communities they swore an oath to defend and to serve. In a time when our country is incredibly divided, we are united in choosing adherence to our oath to protect rights and liberties guaranteed equally to all under the Constitution. We seek to make our nation’s promise of fairness, dignity, and equality real for all and beseech those in uniform to answer that call with courage and fortitude.
Signed,
[Signatures Enclosed]
Signed,
Veterans:
Name, State, Leaving Rank, Branch of Service
Service Member/Reservist/Guard:
Name, State, Signed as a Private Citizen
Download the full text of letter here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12xMJOfeA3nFaMz6cJ03IzO-sr_q5_-50/view?usp=sharing