Our Campaign In April 2005 POG began a long-term effort to counter military recruitment locally. Since then we have organized over 60 counter-recruitment events. From visits to flyer local high schools, organizing over 45 protests outside the recruitment center, engaging in non-violent direct actions that have shut down the center on multiple occasions, holding a regional CR conference, creating different flyers and educational materials, convincing a number of local stores to remove recruitment literature from display, and talking to our friends and neighbors we have worked to create and foster a culture of resistance. We’re doing what we can to fight back against the governments onslaught of pro-military/enlistment propaganda. For us, a focus on recruitment is a tangible way to help stop the unjust war/occupations currently occurring as well as serving to help restrict the negative projection of Government power in the future. With all of our efforts we have strived to be honest and upfront about our larger political perspectives and goals. Enlistment is a critical decision with potentially life threatening consequences and many are unfortunately joining because of coercion, a perceived lack of alternative options for their future, or distortions/lies on the part of recruiters. It needed be this way and so our work continues, until the day we see the ashes of this world give way to a new tomorrow. Our campaign goals:
-To educate and outreach to those being recruited. We aim to present them and their parents/loved ones with accurate and thorough information about their rights, the reality and commitments of enlistment and the recruitment process, as well as how these fit into a critique of overall US foreign policy. Our priority is towards addressing those groups and communities (youth, communities of color, low income) that we feel are the most targeted and/or often have the least access to alternative information and perspectives.
-To non-violently confront and oppose, through a variety of means, recruiters, their bases of operation, and those involved in facilitating their access to the recruited. We aim to protest wherever recruiters are stationed to peddle their wares. Whether they are tabling at a job fair, speaking at a college, guest "teaching" a HS gym class, hanging out at the mall, or receiving people in their offices we want to be there to counter and oppose their presence while providing an alternative perspective.
We invite you to get involved in these efforts. Whether by helping with research and information gathering, attending events, donating money, or getting directly involved in the planning process your help is needed and appreciated.