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^/[gTNAM MORATORIUM COMMITTEE
SUITE 806,1029 VERMONT AVENUE, N.W.,
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005
202/347-4757
September 29, 1969
Dear Gl Newspaper Editor:
By now you are probably aware of the Vietnam Moratorium Committee and its part
in the "Fall Offensive" against the war in Vietnam, but you may not be aware that
we are eager to have servicemen join our national cajipnf pn to maximize public
pressure for peace. We are writing for your help in getting GI's to participate
in a "recurring moratorium" on "business as usual." Oar initial organizing, as
you may knew, has centered on the kinds of activities that will allow concerned
citizens to take a day off from scnool or work, to participate in anti-war
programs in their local communities. But we are also concerned that servicemen
have a key role in this nationwide protest over the continuing death and
destruction in Vietnam.
We realize that GI's cannot go on strike, but we hope you can help in organizing
some activités for the first day of the Moratorium, October 15th. The work of
this day will be directed towards building an enlarged two-day Moratorium in
November, and could provide an opportunity for GEE's to join forces in focusing
legal opposition to the war on bases around the country.
We would like to submit the following scenario for your consideration in the hope
that you will join us in working for peace beginning October 15th.
HOLDING A MEETING ON BASE
We would like to have you solicit support from the servicemen at your base for a
public meeting to discuss the legal rights of servicemen to express their views
on the war in Vietnam. When you have a number of men who are willing to request
such a meeting for October 15th, find out the requirements for making an application with your command. Then, CALL US COLLECT, so we can provide support from
local civilians and assist with legal help if you run into difficulty obtaining
permission. There is, as you probably know, a new DOD Directive on Dissent (copy
enclosed), so it might be wise to tell your base commander that many men are
uncertain as »to how this new directive affects then, and therefore, you would
like to have him, or one of his subordinates, come to a baaewide meeting to
discuss your rights. If the CO dénias your request you will be in a better
position if you can say that you went to him, NOT TO EEQUEST AN ANTI-WAR MEETING,
but to have him speak to concerned GI's about their Constitutional rights.
Be sure you let us know before you ask for a meeting on base, so we can help you
j*2t press coverage.
If it appears that it will be impossible to hold a meeting on base, don't give up.
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