“By putting my weapons down, I chose to reassert myself as a human being,� said Camilo Mejia, the first US soldier to actively resist the Iraq War. The former US Army staff sergeant went AWOL in October 2003 while home on a two-week leave. It wasn't until March 15, 2004, that Mejia turned himself in to military commanders and filed for discharge as a conscientious objector, becoming the first veteran from Iraq to publicly challenge the morality of the war. In May 2004, he was convicted of desertion, and sentenced to nine months in the brig. Having recently been freed, Mejia is now on a speaking tour of the West Coast, and will visit Santa Cruz, on Wednesday, May 4th, 7 p.m. at the Veteran's Memorial Building, 846 Front St. , next to the post office. Immediate wireless translation from English to Spanish translation n will be available.

Meanwhile, in San Diego, CA, Navy sailor Pablo Paredes' request for conscientious objector status has been denied. His court martial is scheduled for May 11, inside the San Diego 32nd St. Naval Station. Various support activities and protests are being planned for May 10-13 in San Diego.

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Indybay coverage: SF Bay Area Events

Our march down Pacific Ave. gained the support of many people as we chanted, "We Don't Need the Bosses, the Bosses Need Us!!!

On May Day 2005 in San Cruz, a rally took place at the Clock Tower before people marched down Pacific Ave. At the rally, people played guitar, sang and spoke about the past, present and future of the labor movement. Speakers and singers included Faith Petric, Fred Hirsch, Mark Levy, David Winters, Fellow Worker Will and Brian from the Santa Cruz GMB of the IWW.

I was on my way to the Tom Scribner statue to meet up with the Wobblies for a march to the Clock Tower when i came across an interesting gathering of dancers on Cedar St.; a group called Seabright Morris and Sword. After taking a few photos, I tried to figure out the significance of the festive gathering. I was handed a pamphlet that said, "Morris dancing is a tradition of dance and music which survives as the most living (and lively) part of a ritual designed to shake off the dark and gloom of winter and celebrate the coming of spring."

Seabright Morris and Sword had begun their day at 6am at the Lighthouse and seemed to be finishing up as I rode on to meet up with the Wobblies around 11:45am. The timing was good as they had just begun marching to the Clock Tower.

President Loonie-Tunes Leads His Gang Of Mental Defectives In A Jihad Against Freedom.

Celebrating programs and policies that protect health and the environment.

April 28, was a typical Friday in the Watsonville Plaza. About a dozen people held signs calling for an end to war, there was a farmer's market and many people relaxed on benches and on the lawn.

On April 28, Paul Buhle gave a presentation on the Graphic History of the Wobblies at Sin Fronteras cafe. The event was organized as part of the Reel Work May Day Labor Film Festival.

Shortly after a cake was cut on May 1, 2005 to celebrate 100 years of the IWW, Robert Norse encouraged people to support Roger Mentch on Monday, April 1 at 8am in front of the Santa Cruz County Courthouse.

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