The Center on Conscience and War

Service members who agree Trump’s war on Iran is wrong, you don’t have to participate. We can help you explore your options. Help us spread the word!

International Conscientious Objectors’ Day Muhammad Ali, the Heavyweight Boxing Champion, was widely known as an opponent of the Vietnam War. On April 28, 1967, Ali stood waiting, a military induction official called his name, “Mr. Ali, will you please step forward & be inducted into the United States Army.” He was then informed of the “gravity of the act” and was offered another chance. Ali never took that step. Ali is celebrated now but at the time the Vietnam war was popular and he was condemned as a coward & traitor. His heavyweight title was stripped, convicted of draft evasion and sentenced to 5 years in prison, banned from boxing for 3.5 yrs, and stripped of his passport. Sacrificing prime years of his career cost him millions, leaving him in debt. After his conviction was overturned, he returned to boxing well past his prime. Muhammad Ali’s stand helped jumpstart the anti-war movement. His moral clarity still inspires us all.

Today we honor International Conscientious Objectors’ Day, to raise awareness about CO rights and offer remembrance to all those who refused to kill. Conscientious objection in U.S. history goes back as far as 1681, and is present in every subsequent military engagement until today. The Center on Conscience and War has been on the front lines defending and advancing CO rights for over 85 years. But the work has just begun. IF YOU KNOW ANYONE IN THE MILITARY FEELING CONFLICTED, they can contact CCW at (877) NO-2-WARS or [email protected] for free, professional counseling.

FULL VID UP - What will this war cost us all? Our flag folding in Washington D.C., represented the lives already lost in the war on Iran on both sides, and the many more to come. Full video of the program, along with rousing speeches by vets and poignant testimonies from military family members, are now on our YouTube channel @vetsaboutface (& at bio link). The event was organized by @vetsagainstfascism @vetsaboutface , @veteransforpeace , @mfso_us , @50501veterans , @fayresistancecoalition , and @centeronconscience . We called for House Speaker Mike Johnson to take the folded flag and answer for what he's done. As this happened, Capitol Police arrested nearly 70 of us, including some of our disabled and elderly members, for simply speaking up and calling for an end to this illegal and unjust war. As veterans, we know from experience that this war, like the ones before it, will only make a handful of companies, billionaires, and politicians rich and devastate the people of Iran, the Middle East, and ultimately, working people here at home. Meanwhile, many of our brothers and sisters overseas will pay the price. That's why About Face stood up in Washington, D.C., and why we'll continue fighting against these endless wars. Our veterans, military family members and allies won't let billionaires continue to rob us of our sons and daughters. We can't afford another war! #nowaroniran #veteransagainstfascism Donate to support the cause at bio link or aboutfaceveterans.org. To learn more, join us for the @vetsagainstfascism organizing meeting every first Sunday of the month. Video: Ian Segears @iansegears Editing: Summer Dawn Reyes Cover Photo: Rei Lopez

It is your right to file as a CO at any time. Last month, one of our clients was sent home from a combat deployment within a week of filing a claim. Yesterday, another filed as a CO from aboard a ship deployed to the Iran war. Contact us for help [email protected] or (877) NO-2-WARS

Not another nickel, not another dime, WE WON’T PAY FOR TRUMPS WAR CRIMES! Not another nickel, not another dime, THE COST OF WAR IS TOO DAMN HIGH! We came. We saw. We got arrested. And we will continue until our demands are met: Bring the troops home. No war with Iran. US OUT OF EVERYWHERE! So thankful to @vetsaboutface for organizing this act of civil disobedience in the heart of the empire, and to our partnerships with @50501veterans @veteransforpeace @fayresistancecoalition @mfso_us @centeronconscience who threw the hell down with us. Proud to know you and call you friends and comrades. Rest up, it’s about to be a hell of a summer together. JOIN US @vetsaboutface

62 arrests. One demand: end the war on Iran. Veterans and military families occupied the Cannon House Office Building. Red tulips for the Iranians killed. A folded flag for the 13 US troops already dead. A demand that Speaker Mike Johnson meet with them and pledge to stop funding this war. CCW Executive Director and Iraq War veteran Mike Prysner, arrested alongside dozens of others, reminded service members that conscientious objection is their legal right, and that counselors are standing by to fight for them. The ceasefire expires tomorrow. This war is already deeply unpopular. This is a crisis of the administration's own making. Organized by @vetsaboutface , @centeronconscience , @veteransforpeace , @common_defense , @fayresistancecoalition , @mfso_us , and @50501veterans . Share to amplify. Silence is what they are counting on.

If that tiny whispering voice is telling you that you cannot participate in “Operation Epic Fury” call us to see if you qualify as a conscientious objector (877) NO-2-WARS Full sermon titled The Voice of Conscience by Bishop Barron

Now outside Fort Bragg 💪

Call us to lay down your arms, which is within your rights under DoD policy & regulations

HELP US BUY BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE FORT BRAGG! 1000s of solders are getting ready to deploy. We have reserved 2 prime billboard locations near the base. The more we raise, the more places we can put them. LINK IN BIO

“The things coming down from the [US] command… They're saying that ground war is inevitable.” Michael Prysner, an Army veteran and head of @centeronconscience , tells @premthakk that that US troops are being told to "get ready" to invade Iran. Watch the full conversation, link in bio.