As part of the summer of resistance Students for Social Justice is calling for leafleting, guerrilla theater and other types of counter-recruitment efforts in an attempt to save lives and bring the gears of the war machine to a grinding halt. Following this email is the full schedule of remaining major counter-recruiting events occurring this summer. To get involved, obtain more information and resources, or to let us know about other opportunities not listed on our calendar, please contact s4sj (at) hotmail.com.

From June 25 to July 4 several branches of the U.S. armed forces will descend upon Grant Park and the Taste of Chicago in an all out recruiting blitz. In it's relentless quest for global hegemony the United States continues to overextend itself politically, economically and militarily. With more than 330,000 troops deployed overseas in nearly 130 countries, with the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan exacting a heavy toll on these already strained resources, and with several of the armed forces missing their recruiting goals in recent years, the military must continually find ways to replenish it's ever depleting ranks of enlisted personnel. The flip side to this equation is that the U.S. military is becoming more visible, creative and proactive in their efforts to recruit the nation's youth into a life of servitude, exploitation and eventual use as cannon fodder for future wars of aggression.

For the sake of our sisters and brothers everywhere we CANNOT allow that to happen!

Military recruiters, media, government and schools go to great lengths to romanticize war and glorify military hardware such as assault rifles, land mines, tanks, armed helicopters and so-called "smart" targeting systems. War should be recognized for the horror and devastation that it is, not as fun and games, a way out, a means to obtain money for education, or just a job. If the message of these recruiters is in any way received by the youth of our communities as an endorsement of aggression and a celebration of a "might is right" philosophy, then a gross educational failure has occurred on our part as activists, concerned individuals, parents, friends, etc.

Now is the time to speak out. Now is the time to counter the false and misleading propaganda put out by military recruiters in their attempts to PACKAGE, MARKET & SELL the military to the nation's youth. Now is the time to provide our youth with viable alternatives to obtain college funding and job skills training. Now is the time to demonstrate solidarity with the people of the world that are being oppressed, tortured and slaughtered at the hands of the U.S. Armed Forces, not to mention with those who now reside in the U.S. that have witnessed and/or been subjected to these very same atrocities by the U.S. military and the regimes they support. Also keep in mind that there is an increasing likelihood that the U.S. government will reinstate the draft sometime during the course of the next year. It is imperative that we begin talking with people NOW about draft resistance and a good way to begin is by exposing the military for what it is.

GET INVOLVED! EXPOSE THE LIES! MAKE A DIFFERENCE! SAVE LIVES!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Taste of Chicago
June 25-July 4, 2004
Grant Park
There are multiple entrances to the festival but Jackson and Columbus is a good starting point.

Exactly where the recruiters intend to set up is unknown at this time but you will NOT be able to miss the outrageous and disgusting ARMY OF ONE recruiting displays. The festival is 10 days long, begins at 11am and runs until 9pm daily. Due to the length of the festival it will be difficult to maintain a constant presence so we STRONGLY recommend that individuals and organizations contact us ahead of time (ASAP) with their availability so that we can be sure to have someone there with materials. Although we will our best to provide you with at least one leafleting partner, it would be helpful if you could bring a friend, family member, co-worker, etc. to work with you. Another idea is for organizations to sponsor and staff a block of time on a given day.

Besides volunteers to help leaflet and bring/hold banners and signs we are in desperate need of assistance with flier reproduction so if you have access to free or really cheap photocopying or printing please let us know and we will send you the electronic files.

Be sure to bring water and snacks or money to purchase them with. Festival tickets are sold in blocks of 11 for $7 but they can also be purchased ahead of time (through the 24th) at Dominick's for $5.50. And don't forget to apply sunscreen beforehand AND bring some with you for reapplication throughout the day - the sun can be brutal. Wearing a hat or other head covering is also recommended.


PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FESTIVAL PROVIDES AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT A GREAT NUMBER OF ISSUES AND EVENTS - PLUS THERE ARE OTHER SPECIFIC ITEMS OF INTEREST HAPPENING AT THE TASTE OF CHICAGO WORTH LEAFLETING, DOING STREET THEATER OR OTHER ACTIONS AROUND. SEE BELOW.

At the COMCAST FAMILY VILLAGE display (just west of the Ferris Wheel):

- Friday June 25 to Sunday July 4
Daily from 11am-3pm
Cook County Sheriff's Office Child Fingerprinting Program

- Monday June 28 to Friday July 2
Daily from 11am-7pm
Meet Officer Friendly

- Sunday, June 27
4:15pm
US Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs & Boarder Patrol Inspectors Canine

- Wednesday, June 30 @ 5pm
Michigan and Congress
A Taste of Democracy?
On June 30, 2004, the Bush administration claims it will turn over power to an Iraqi government. This government will be a puppet regime without any real power because the Bush administration has little intention to relinquish control over Iraq or its oil. There is no simple solution to this war. It is clear that the Iraqi people do not want U.S. troops there and the occupation is only making the situation worse. We say let the Iraqi people decide. Bring the troops home now! Visit peacepledgechicago.org/ for more information.

BE SURE TO SAVE THE DATES FOR THE CHICAGO AIR & WATER SHOW
August 21-22, 2004
North Avenue Beach
Details TBA
BTW, the Air & Water Show is listed under the "Kids Events" section of the Mayor's Office for Special Events homepage.

REPORTS FROM OUR RECENT COUNTER-RECRUITING EFFORTS AT THE CHICAGO BLUES FESTIVAL
chicago.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/42249