GIS UNITED AGAINST THE WAR IN VIETNAM
Box 54-3, Columbia, S.C.
APPEAL FOR SUPPORT
2SHPebruary 195T *
The past two months have seen the: explosive development of an
organization of Ft. Jackson GIs fighting for the immediate withdrawal
of American troops from Vietnam, an end to Army racism, and for the
implementation of constitutional rights for GIs.  As a result of our
coming together, we black, Puerto Rican, Indian and white GIs United
Against the War in Vietnam have seen leaders shipped out in punitive
transfers and our brothers thrown into the stockade under maximum
security,,
In response to this harassment, we have initiated a petition
drive to discuss the war in Vietnam and these attacks by the brass in a
mass, democratically run meeting on post.
Around these issues, we have spread to all sections of post, including Basic Training, in defiance of the increased harassment
by the brass.  We have grown, and continue to grow, because we speak to
the needs of GIs, because we speak the truth.  Our petition drive and
the reaction of the brass to it are a powerful lesson for GIs.
The brass deceitfully maintains that we are attempting to collectively bargain for GIs at Ft. Jackson.  This is not true.  It is
only a camouflage for the refusal of the brass to allow us to
exercise our democratic rights.
It tells us plainly that the war and the Army are too corrupt
for the brass to allow us even to discuss I
GIs United understands, and Ft. Jackson GIs now see, that what
few rights we have are won only through struggle.  We have the riffht „o
to discuss the war.  The Army has NO BIGHT to treat us as anything 'less
than men.  Our rights are the rights of citizens, the same rights that
this country says we should fight for in Vietnam
And we will fight for our rights.  But the Vietnamese are not
violating our rights—the Army is!
For our struggle to be victorious, we need your immediate
support.  We urge fellow GIs at other bases to begin now to circulate
petitions supporting the struggle of Ft. Jackson GIs for their constitutional and democratic right of petition and assembly.  A victory at
Ft. Jackson villi "be a victory for GIs everywhere.  Our struggle is a
common one!
We also urgently appeal to the civilian antiwar movement to circulate support petitions, and to send telegrams of support, protesting
the illegal harassment by the brass.  Protest should go to the Commanding General, Ft. Jackson, S.C., with copies to GIs United, Box
54-3, Columbia, S.C., and to the GI Civil Liberties Defense Committee,
Box 355, Old Chelsea Station, N.Y., N.Y., 10011.  Funds are desperately
needed by the GI C.L.D.C. In order for it to continue helping us
with legal support and publicity.
FREE SPEECH FOR GIS"!!!