Veteran, conscientious objector speaks

Iraq war veteran Agustín Aguayo will speak from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thurs., July 26 at the Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road. The program is free and open to the public.

Aguayo will explain why he went to prison as a conscientious objector instead of returning for a second tour of duty in Iraq.

He filed for discharge as a conscientious objector in February 2004. While his application was being processed, he was sent to Iraq as a medic. After the Army denied him C.O. status he challenged the action in federal court, but it was again denied. He was eventually court-martialed and confined in prison for eight months after refusing a second forced deployment to Iraq.

Aguayo is now free and continues his struggle with the Army and federal courts while seeking exoneration for the conviction of desertion and missing movement.

This event is sponsored by Global Exchange Ventura County Supporters, Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions, Veterans for Peace Ventura Chapter 112, ANSWER Ventura County, Luisa Moreno Human Rights Committee of Oxnard and Ventura County Stop the War. For more information, call (805) 375-9939 or e-mail GlobalExchangeVCS@yahoo.com.