They call themselves “winter soldiers”, and they are planning to show the public what really happens at the fronts in Afghanistan and Iraq. They are US soldiers who have experienced the traumas of war in action in those two countries.
Between 13 and 16 March, they will publish various accounts on their website.
War veterans condemning war
Under the slogan “Now it’s our turn to tell our story”, they will show photographs and videos discussing topics such as “the aims of the global war against terrorism”, “gender and sexuality in the army”, “racism and war: the dehumanisation of the enemy”, and “the cost of war for a country.”
Similar activities during the Vietnam War had resulted in an increase of public pressure on the US government to end the war.
The fact that those condemning the war are not ordinary citizens, but people who have fought in the war, who have killed for their country and have seen their friends die in their arms, makes the protests all the more effective.
Time for the truth
The government will be put under pressure: if it accuses its soldiers of lies or puts pressure on them, it will be hard-pressed to find volunteers for its next war; should it accept the truth of what the veterans say, this amounts to an admission of errors.The “winter soldiers” say that the public has listened to the politicians, generals and the media long enough:
“It will not be easy to listen to what we have to say. It will also not be easy for us to tell these things. However, we believe that it will only be possible to end this war if the American people know what we are doing in their name.” (ECG/GG/AG)
