A man's resistance

Photo courtesy of sxc.hu

• Who: Benji Lewis
• What: Refusing involuntary military activation
  
• Where: United Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis
• Why: To tell others that we should have a choice to turn down participating in war
• Quote: “While you’re in the marine core it’s kind of hard to realize what you’re a part of.”

What if your country called on you? Should you turn it down? What if you have already served a tour a duty and were asked to return back to lines of battle? Shouldn't you have a choice?

On Sunday May 17, Benji Lewis, 23, spoke at the United Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis. Lewis spoke about his involuntary activation back into the Marine Corps and his refusal to go back into service. The event was hosted by the band emma’s revolution, which is an activist band that is mix of pop and folk holding a concert for Lewis's cause. Their music is catchy and easy to follow and is meant to inspire action and open mindedness.

Lewis spoke of why he refused involuntary activation, and that individuals need to go “outside the framework” to achieve goals and reach a better future, but the only way to do that is to resist the influence of the world around you. Lewis spoke of his thoughts on America abusing military and economic power throughout the world.

Lewis’s experience in the Marine Corps made it sound like he might have felt distant from the world. “While you’re in the marine core it’s kind of hard to realize what you’re a part of.” Going on to talking about how there is no time for extra things the military offers like their college degree programs because of training.

Lewis wants to achieve a society that allows growth of the individual and not just the country and government, a society that is not using military force to build its strength.

Lewis enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17, served two tours in Iraq, and earned an honorable discharge after four years of active duty. Lewis is refusing to enlist in a third tour of duty as a mortar-man. Lewis was part of the first siege in Fallujah, and after his second tour became an urban combat instructor in hopes to “mitigate some of the effects of war, and I think I did though.... not enough.”

In a letter to the public Lewis said “My battalion returned to the states in August but deployed just four short months later in January 2005. Once again we deployed to Fallujah. Unlike during my first tour, there were few notable instances my second time around. For me it was seven months of reflection about the disaster we had created in Iraq, my government, and the price of service.”

Lewis is very open about his refusal to report to active duty. He speaks at various venues nationwide and is asking for support for his cause, and hopes others will raise their voice in hopes he will not be prosecuted but he is “prepared to be court-martialed.” said Lewis said.

For more information on Benji Lewis and other troops refusing service and asking for support click here.