September, 26 2016, 11:30am EDT
Veterans Demand Immediate Withdrawal of National Guard in Charlotte
Veterans For Peace, a national organization made up of military veterans and military family members, released a statement demanding an immediate withdrawal of the National Guard in Charlotte.
Veterans For Peace denounces the ongoing instances of police violence against people of color, this time resulting in the killing of Keith Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Terence Crutcher of Tulsa, Oklahoma. We also stand in opposition to the State of North Carolina's militarized response to protests in Charlotte.
ST. LOUIS, MO
Veterans For Peace, a national organization made up of military veterans and military family members, released a statement demanding an immediate withdrawal of the National Guard in Charlotte.
Veterans For Peace denounces the ongoing instances of police violence against people of color, this time resulting in the killing of Keith Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Terence Crutcher of Tulsa, Oklahoma. We also stand in opposition to the State of North Carolina's militarized response to protests in Charlotte.
As Veterans For Peace, we know that increased militarization in our communities will never bring peace. We know that peace is only achieved with a strong commitment to justice. We have seen perfectly reasonable demands from protesters and community members that have so far been ignored by the state and the Charlotte police. The family of Keith Scott deserves justice as do all victims of police violence.
"As a veteran I'm outraged that our country is increasingly calling out the national guard to quell citizens engaged in protest." said Kourtney Andar, VFP National Board member. "Bringing in heavily militarized troops is meant to intimidate - not keep people safe. Everyone in this country has a right to express dissent."
Interviews available upon request.
Veterans For Peace is a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices. We inform the public of the true causes of war and the enormous costs of wars, with an obligation to heal the wounds of wars. Our network is comprised of over 140 chapters worldwide whose work includes: educating the public, advocating for a dismantling of the war economy, providing services that assist veterans and victims of war, and most significantly, working to end all wars.
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