With apologies for the last minute nature of this event, you are invited to join us to support an Oklahoma man who is one of the Iraq war resisters in Canada who is facing deportation. Let’s show support for one of our own.
[And please pass this info on if you have time in the short time frame.]
Date/time: 10-11 AM, 6/3/09
Place: Joy Mennonite Church, 504 NE 16th, Oklahoma City (just a few blocks south of Capitol on Lincoln)
There will be an event for Joshua in Toronto tomorrow, and we decided to do a solidarity event here in Oklahoma. Here’s details from the event organizer, James M. Branum, one of Joshua Key’s attorneys.
Josh grew up in Guthrie, Oklahoma. After joining the Army, he later deployed to Iraq where he had a horrific time (as detailed in his book “The Deserter’s Tale”).
He then came back to the US and while on leave, left his unit and hid out for some time before making his way to Canada.
Josh is now fighting it out in the court-system in Canada to get to stay and on June 3rd he will be facing one of the most significant fights of this struggle.
Our friends in Canada are holding a vigil tomorrow in Toronto outside the Immigration and Refugee Board while the hearing is taking place, so I would like for us to have a similar demonstration here.
So starting at 10 a.m., I’m asking participants to meet at the Peace Pole on the grounds of Joy Mennonite Church, We’ll have a time of quiet meditation and/or prayers (for those so inclined) and then we’ll walk a few blocks north to the state capitol, where we will deliver a statement in support of Joshua Key to the Governor’s office, the Republican and Democratic leaders of the state legislature and to the press.
Participants are welcome to bring small signs and banners for the walk but know that they probably won’t let you take them into the state capitol building.
And if you can’t come to the walk, please write a letter of encouragement to Josh and send it to:
Joshua Key
c/o Joy Mennonite Church
504 NE 16th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
You can also email letters to me at girightslawyer@gmail.com
We’ll then forward the letters to Josh by way of his attorney in Canada.
Lastly, I’ll post more information soon on other ways we in Oklahoma can support Josh from a-far.
–*– end of message from James
Hello,
I would like to thank you, that is very encouraging to hear.
Joshua Key
Hello,
I would like to thank you, that is very encouraging to hear.
Joshua Key