Occupy Veterans Movement Growing Across U.S

By Kristina Wong
ABC News
October 31, 2011

http://news.yahoo.com/occupy-veterans-movement-growing-across-u-072300415.html

Since Occupy Wall Street protests have broken out in
cities across the U.S. and abroad, support has come
from what might seem like an unlikely corner: war
veterans.

But two of the highest-profile protesters -- each from
opposite ends of the country -- had served in wars.
Last week, the world watched as bleeding, dazed 24-
year-old Marine Scott Olsen was carried away by fellow
protesters after he was struck in the head by an object
apparently fired by an Oakland police officer. And
before that, Marine Sgt. Shamar Thomas was captured on
video confronting a group of New York police officers
he said had been too rough with protesters.

Both Thomas and Olsen have become rallying figures in
the Occupy Wall Street movement -- not only among
civilian protesters but among veterans whose
participation in the protests has been growing,
according to such veterans-turned-organizers as Paige
Jenkins.

"For veterans especially, health care is paramount, yet
is always on the table to be cut," Jenkins said in an
interview with ABC News. "Vets in this movement don't
want to fight anymore. We want to make peace and live
peaceably. We shouldn't have to fight for our benefits,
and if vets are fighting for their benefits then it
can't be any better for nonvets.

"What do you think is going to happen in 2012 after
everyone gets home from Iraq? No jobs, no benefits.
This will not be a good scene," Jenkins continued. "I
imagine the suicide rate will climb, and sadly, I think
that some people in this country don't feel any
responsibility for that."

Jenkins, who served from 1987 until 2002, first in the
U.S. Navy and then in the California National Guard,
said that some veterans were organizing to be
"peacekeepers" and maintain "perimeter security."

"As vets, I think it is our job to protect our
community through teachings of nonviolence and
defensive measures like how to protect yourself from
unprovoked police attacks," said Jenkins, who is
currently studying military social work at the
University of Southern California's Virtual Academic
Center.

Another group that called itself OccupyMarines recently
posted on its Facebook page advice about how to protest
in winter weather. According to a Tweet by @Kruggurl,
Occupy Marine Corps has offered protesters supplies for
the winter.

"We are a collection of prior service Marines intent on
protecting American citizens and their ability to
exercise their First Amendment rights," a spokesperson
for the group said.

"These riot squads deploy unlawful excessive force
against Americans all service members swore to protect,
and many veterans have sacrificed their lives in that
honor. We at OMC will not stand idly by as these
cowards continue to abuse the Constitution, hurting
American citizens. We will use any nonviolent means to
convince law enforcement agencies to understand that
brutality will only strengthen our resolve," the
spokesperson said, adding that the group acknowledged
that not all Marines agreed with the group's position.

"As for Scott Olsen, we are outraged his life was
nearly snuffed out by these cowards, and pray for his
continued recovery and that of his family during this
difficult time."

Olsen, who deployed twice to Iraq, is a member of the
Veterans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against the War.
The Veterans for Peace issued a statement shortly after
Olsen suffered his injuries.

"VFP members are involved with dozens of these local
'occupy movement' encampments, and we support them
fully," it said.

On Sunday, Veterans for Common Sense, a Washington,
D.C., veterans' advocacy group, issued a statement in
support of Olsen.

"Veterans for Common Sense is troubled to learn that
Iraq War veteran Scott Olsen was badly injured this
week by police at the Occupy Oakland gathering. We wish
him a speedy and full recovery. VCS supports the right
of Veterans for Peace to exercise the freedoms they
have defended with their service."

"I'm doing this because I believe it is the right thing
to do," Jenkins said. "And if we lose at least I will
feel good about having done my best to stand up for
what I believe is in the best interest of current and
future generations of not only my country but the
world."

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