The We Are Not Your Soldiers Tour, a project of the World Can’t Wait, is not your typical counter recruiting classroom presentation. World Can’t Wait Activists and Iraq war veterans have teamed up to present the reality of ongoing wars of occupation, and the need for a resistance movement led by young people that can spark and inspire a much needed and more determined anti-war movement. The future of the young and the future of the people of the world are intertwined and hang in the balance.
Liz Lazdins, an activist with the World Can’t Wait and Anthony Wagner, an Iraq war veteran, teamed up earlier this week, and traveled to Columbus and Cleveland Ohio. They spoke with close to 200 high school students, and were able to observe military recruiters swarming the campuses, strutting through the hallways, swaggering into lunchrooms, obsequiously delivering luncheon platters into faculty rooms, and taking students out for lunch at local restaurants.
A number of students told Anthony that they feel very bothered by this. They feel harassed. Others told him that recruiters have called them at home continuing the army “sellathon “ by promising money for college, a good steady paycheck, job training……a bright future…and one student was even told that he would definitely not be sent to Iraq. Another student shared with Liz that his cousin, who is in the military, cried uncontrollably when he got redeployment orders for Iraq. Both Liz and Anthony also met students who felt it was patriotic and important to fight for freedom and democracy, and that they had relatives in the military who proudly serve.
After students heard Anthony dispel most of the recruiter promises, and tell some of his personal experiences of the horrors of combat, and heard Liz break down the historical time frame and steps leading to the never-ending wars of occupation, they had a chance to view a portion of “Rethink Afghanistan”,(Glen Greenwald film). The reality of the stories and the images had an impact on the classes.
Most had never seen war violence other than flashy Hollywood scenes, and this movie showed real people being horribly injured or brutalized at the hands of U.S. soldiers. The reality of this hit home for many, as they grappled with the question of joining and becoming part of such an illegitimate and horrific war machine. This is a challenging question for many students in the current economy, and a consistent question for those in lower socio-economic areas. Some recruiters, especially in inner city areas, really push hard on this, telling students they don’t have much of a future unless they join and get all the goodies and all the discipline it takes to have a good life…….to be part of the American dream.
Anthony told us that he counters this with undeniable facts….the reality…. of army life. It is not as wonderful as portrayed by recruiters. It is hard, and what you are ordered to do and to become is horrendous. He tells of the stress of being a female soldier and having to endure sexual assault from fellow soldiers. He talks of the aftermath of war and the effects of ptsd when you come home. He also asks students to consider that the loss of your own humanity is not worth any price.
He and Liz challenge the students to become part of We Are NOT Your Soldiers, and to be catalysts that can ignite an antiwar movement that cannot be ignored. What brighter future could there be than that? Resist recruiters and lead a movement that can change the world! Some students, when asked what they would say when the recruiters start up, said they will hold up their orange We Are NOT Your Soldiers bandanas, and say loudly, “WE ARE NOT YOUR SOLDIERS!” 
The We Are Not Your Soldiers project continues to get requests from all over the country. Some messages from young people:
”Nobody else but me thinks the recruiters should not be here..I trust nobody”.
“There is a Military Recruiting center right across the street from my high school. I wish you could come here. They are everywhere.”
“ I learned from the presentation that we are not really going to war for what they say we are going to war for..”
“I think if they knew that we know about this stuff they won’t be bothering us so much..”
This is a tour that is needed by students as much as it is needed to stem the flow of troops into a war of terror and torture on the people of the world. An antiwar movement that is determined, ongoing and unstoppable, and that is inspired and led by the energy of young people is sorely needed. The World Can’t Wait. Really…it can’t.
Support this movement, donate so we can fulfill as many requests as possible. Donate here
Find teachers who want this in their classrooms, if you are a teacher or a student bring this tour to your school.
You can find fliers, letter to teacher and other great We Are Not Your Soldiers materials here
Watch videos of the recent presentation in Ohio in the post below.
