Samantha Christiansen,
of the Students
for Social Justice said, "The point is not to be anti-military
with this action. The point is to get the truth to people who are about to make
a life changing decision."
"Money for military recruitment has
increased while at the same time money for education is becoming increasingly
scarce. Military recruiters are taking advantage of this situation and making
false promises of a better future with the military", Ms. Christiansen said.
Marches will gather on the corner of Galley and Academy at noon Saturday, April
30, and march to the Citadel Recruitment Center.
Kelly Dougherty, former MP
with the Colorado National Guard, and founder of Iraq
Veterans Against the War said, "The way military recruiters
attract students is by saying 'join us and we'll pay your college tuition.'
Yet look at me, I have thousands of dollars in student loans. Things are
working out very different from what I was told."
The US military spends over $2.5 Billion each year to recruit low income youth
with commercials, video games, and slick brochures. Even though Africa Americans
make up 12.4% of the population, they represent 29.8% of the Army.
Section
9528 of the No Child Left Behind law requires schools to give the names,
addresses, and phone numbers of students to military recruiters. Understanding
the military enlistment
contract is very difficult and the truth is often hidden from students.
33% join the
military to get the GI Bill for college, but 57% of those get NO money,
and another 23% only get half of what was promised.
The march will be peaceful and lawful.
The organizers encourage all in attendance to observe all laws and be peaceful
in words and actions.
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