Iraq Veterans Against the War

Iraq Veterans Against the War
Name	Iraq Veterans Against the War
Founded	July 2004
Founders	Michael Hoffman, Kelly Dougherty, Alex Ryabov, Tim Goodrich, Diana Morrison
Location	United States
Focus	Anti-war, Veteran advocacy
Successor	About Face: Veterans Against the War

Iraq Veterans Against the War was a prominent American organization composed of military veterans who served after the September 11 attacks and opposed the Iraq War. Founded in 2004, the group provided a powerful voice of dissent from within the ranks of those who had directly experienced the conflict, arguing that the war was based on false pretenses and demanding the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. It engaged in public education, direct action, and advocacy, seeking to support fellow veterans while ending the war. The organization later evolved into About Face: Veterans Against the War, broadening its focus to oppose all post-9/11 conflicts.

History and founding

The organization was formed in July 2004 during the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, by a small group of veterans who had recently returned from deployment. Founders included Michael Hoffman, a former Marine artilleryman who served in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and Kelly Dougherty, a former Colorado Army National Guard military police sergeant. The founding members, disillusioned by their experiences in the Iraq War and the shifting justifications for the conflict, sought to create a platform for veteran-led opposition. The group's emergence paralleled growing public skepticism about the war, influenced by events like the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal and the failure to find weapons of mass destruction.

Mission and principles

The organization's core mission was the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all coalition forces from Iraq. Its principles, outlined in a public statement, included support for war resisters, increased benefits for veterans, and reparations for the Iraqi people. The group grounded its legitimacy in the firsthand military experience of its members, using the slogan "Soldiers and Veterans Say: Bring the Troops Home Now." It argued that the Iraq War was illegal under international law, citing the United Nations Charter, and condemned it as an occupation that fueled instability and suffering.

Major activities and campaigns

A key early action was the "Winter Soldier: Iraq & Afghanistan" investigation in March 2008, modeled on the 1971 Winter Soldier Investigation held by Vietnam Veterans Against the War. This event in Silver Spring, Maryland, featured testimony from veterans about alleged war crimes and the human cost of conflict. The organization also conducted the "Truth in Recruiting" campaign to counter Pentagon recruitment efforts in schools and communities. Members frequently participated in large-scale protests, including demonstrations at the Republican National Convention and marches on Washington, D.C., such as the 2007 "March from Miami to the Gates of Guantanamo."

Organizational structure and chapters

The organization operated as a member-led, democratically structured entity with a national office and local chapters across the United States. Key chapters were active in major cities like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. The national leadership included an elected board of directors and executive director, with decisions often made through consensus at annual membership meetings. This decentralized structure allowed regional chapters to organize local protests, VA advocacy, and educational events while coordinating on national campaigns.

Relationship with other anti-war groups

The organization worked in coalition with a wide array of peace and justice movements, forming strategic alliances with groups like Veterans For Peace, Code Pink, and the American Friends Service Committee. It maintained a particularly close relationship with Civilian Soldier Alliance, an organization of non-veterans dedicated to supporting its work. These collaborations were evident in joint actions, such as the 2011 protests at the Port of Oakland against the shipping of military equipment and participation in the broader anti-war movement rallies coordinated by United for Peace and Justice.

Notable members and public figures

Prominent members included co-founder Kelly Dougherty, who served as the first executive director, and Camilo Mejía, the first Iraq War resister to be court-martialed and imprisoned for refusing redeployment. Adam Kokesh, a former Marine sergeant, became a visible and sometimes controversial figure through his activism and media appearances. Other notable affiliates included Geoff Millard, who testified before the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Liam Madden, a former Navy petty officer and recipient of the Thomas Merton Award for his peace work.

Impact and legacy

The organization significantly impacted the national debate on the Iraq War by amplifying the voices of dissenting veterans, challenging the narrative of unquestioning military support for the mission. Its "Winter Soldier" testimonies received coverage from media outlets like Democracy Now! and influenced public perception. The group's advocacy contributed to policy discussions on veteran care, PTSD, and the use of private contractors. In 2021, the membership voted to reconstitute as About Face: Veterans Against the War, expanding its mandate to oppose all post-9/11 wars, including the conflict in Afghanistan, thus continuing its legacy of veteran-led anti-war activism.

Category:Anti-war organizations in the United States Category:Veterans' organizations in the United States Category:Organizations established in 2004