Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia became the new face of the antiwar movement in early 2004 when he applied for a discharge from the Army as a conscientious objector. After serving in the Army for nearly nine years, he was the first known Iraq veteran to refuse to fight, citing moral concerns about the war and occupation. His principle stand helped to rally the growing opposition and embolden his fellow soldiers.

Despite widespread public support and an all-star legal team, Mejia was eventually convicted of desertion by a military court and sentenced to a year in prison, prompting Amnesty International to declare him a prisoner of conscience.

Now released after serving almost nine months, the celebrated soldier-turned-pacifist tells his own story, from his upbringing in Central America and his experience as a working-class immigrant in the United States to his service in Iraq–where he witnessed prisoner abuse and was deployed in the Sunni triangle–and time in prison. Far from being an accidental activist, Mejia was raised by prominent Sandinista revolutionaries and draws inspiration from Jesuit teachings.

Camilo will be doing a short presentation for Peace Club Tuesday, May 15th at lunch in room 172. Please try to arrive as early as humanly possible so you don’t miss any of this excellent presentation. Hope to see you there (and invite your friends)!

Camilo will also be doing a full event that night at Peninsula Peace and Justice where you can also buy a signed copy of his book!