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Road from Ar Ramadi: The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Mej�a
On June 22, 2007, Camilo Mejia, the first Conscientious Objector to walk off the front lines in Iraq spoke at the First Unitarian Church in Portland Oregon.
On May 21, 2004, a U.S. military court sentenced Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia Castillo of the Florida National Guard to the maximum penalty of one year's imprisonment for desertion. He had refused to return to his unit in Iraq, citing moral reasons, the legality of the war and the conduct of US troops towards Iraqi civilians and prisoners.
Amnesty International considers him to be a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned for his conscientious opposition to participating in war.
After a few brief introductory comments, Camilo Mejia read excerpts from his brand new book, "Road From Ar Ramadi".
Camilo joined the service at age 19, served as an infantryman for 8 years, was a staff sergeant and squad leader. "I had done the training and had the knowledge and the expertise to do my job in Iraq." ...