Soldier who refused to return to Iraq plans to turn himself in as war prot [View All]

[UpInArms]

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/075/region/Soldier_who_refused_to_return_:.shtml

SHERBORN, Mass. (AP) A Florida soldier who has refused to return to duty in Iraq said Monday he will to turn himself in to military authorities and seek conscientious objector status.

Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia, 28, of Miami, was in Iraq from March until October last year, when he returned home on leave. He did not return to duty.

''I am saying no to war, I have chosen peace. I went to Iraq and was an instrument of violence and now I have decided to become an instrument of peace. War itself is evil and violence only leads to more violence and I have chosen not to be a part of it,'' Mejia said at a news conference at The Peace Abbey.

<snip>

''I am not a criminal. I have not committed a crime and I should not run,'' Mejia said.

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also links at:

http://news.google.com/url?ntc=02SH1&q=http://www.theiowachannel.com/news/2922882/detail.html

http://news.google.com/url?ntc=02SH2&q=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/nation/8186996.htm

and more can be found here:

http://news.google.com/news?num=30&hl=en&edition=us&q=cluster:www%2ekansascity%2ecom%2fmld%2fkansascity%2fnews%2fnation%2f8186996%2ehtm