Iraq Veterans Against the War

Iraq Veterans Against the War
Jonathan McIntosh · CC BY 3.0 · source
Name	Iraq Veterans Against the War
Founded	2004
Location	United States
Focus	Veteran advocacy, anti-war activism

Iraq Veterans Against the War is an American veterans' organization formed by former service members who served in Iraq War deployments during the administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama. The group publicly opposed the 2007 troop surge and advocated for withdrawal, veterans' benefits, and accountability for wartime conduct, engaging with institutions such as the United States Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and international bodies including the United Nations. Key figures and affiliated veterans participated in high-profile demonstrations, testified before legislative committees, and collaborated with advocacy groups like Veterans for Peace, AFSC, and Human Rights Watch.

History

Founded in 2004 by veterans returning from deployments to provinces such as Baghdad, Mosul, and Fallujah, the organization emerged amid national debates following the 2003 invasion led by the United States Marine Corps, United States Army, and coalition partners from the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland. Early activities intersected with campaigns against policies of the George W. Bush administration and later engagements with the Barack Obama administration over drawdown timelines, the 2008 SOFA, and the residual presence of contractor forces like Blackwater USA. The group's membership included veterans who had served in operations such as Operation Iraqi Freedom and who had been stationed at installations like Camp Fallujah and Camp Victory. Over time, the organization connected with legislative efforts including hearings by the Senate Armed Services Committee and panels convened by the House of Representatives.

Mission and Activities

Its stated mission combined anti-war advocacy with veteran services: calling for the immediate withdrawal of occupation forces, support for veterans' healthcare through the Department of Veterans Affairs, accountability for alleged violations under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and reparations related to civilian harm in Iraq. Activities included public testimony before bodies such as the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, collaboration with international NGOs like Amnesty International and International Committee of the Red Cross, and participation in civil society coalitions alongside groups such as MoveOn.org and the AFL–CIO. The organization published reports, coordinated with media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Democracy Now!, and engaged academic partners at institutions like Columbia University and Georgetown University on research into post-conflict care and veterans' mental health.

Membership and Organization

Membership was composed of enlisted personnel, non-commissioned officers, and officers who had served in units across branches including the United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, and United States Army. Organizational structure featured regional chapters in cities such as Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, with national coordinators liaising with coalitions including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and Vietnam Veterans of America. Leadership interacted with elected officials such as members of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and state-level veterans' affairs departments, while relying on legal counsel experienced with cases before the Supreme Court of the United States and federal district courts.

Protests and Campaigns

The group organized and joined demonstrations at sites including the National Mall, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and events such as the Republican National Convention and Democratic National Convention. Notable campaigns involved marches to the Pentagon and vigils coordinated with international protest movements against the Iraq War and related policies like the Authorization for Use of Military Force of 2001. Collaborations extended to protests addressing private military contractors exemplified by Academi (formerly Blackwater USA) and actions tied to revelations from whistleblowers such as Chelsea Manning and reports by The Washington Post on detainee treatment. The organization also supported initiatives for veteran reintegration, partnering with homeless veteran services and mental health providers aligned with research from the National Institutes of Health.

Legal and Political Impact

Members provided sworn testimony before congressional hearings and submitted documentation to committees investigating topics such as detainee abuse, rules of engagement, and the legal basis for the invasion rooted in debates over the United Nations Security Council resolutions and alleged Weapons of Mass Destruction. Their activism influenced public discourse during election cycles involving figures like John McCain, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump, and intersected with policy debates on troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan. Legal advocacy included referrals to legal organizations like the ACLU and coordination with attorneys experienced in military law and the Uniform Code of Military Justice to pursue administrative remedies and challenge discharges in front of boards such as the Board for Correction of Military Records.

Controversies and Criticisms

The organization faced criticism from politicians, commentators, and veterans' groups who argued that its tactics were divisive or undermined troop morale, with critics including members of the Republican Party and allied media outlets such as Fox News and The Wall Street Journal. Internal disputes arose over strategy and public messaging, sometimes paralleling debates within larger veteran communities including Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion. Questions were raised about the group's funding, partnerships with progressive organizations like Code Pink and ANSWER Coalition, and the balance between political advocacy and service provision. Legal challenges and Congressional scrutiny touched on free speech and First Amendment issues adjudicated in contexts involving the United States Court of Appeals and district courts.

Category:Veterans' organizations in the United States Category:Anti–Iraq War groups