NEWS ADVISORY: Iraq vet who refused to go back to war will speak in Sacramento Thursday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Contact: Lori Hurlebaus 510-484-7127 or Chris Holmback 805-403-5643

ATTN: Daybook/Assignment Desk


Iraq vet who refused to go back to the war
makes 1st public appearance since military prison
in Germany when he speaks in Sacramento Thursday

SACRAMENTO – An Iraq combat veteran – who refused to load his weapon in Iraq because of his opposition to the war – will make his first public appearance since his recent release from military prison in Germany when he speaks in Sacramento Thursday.

Agustin Aguayo is expected to address fellow veterans, and other war opponents THURSDAY, 7 p.m. at Newman Center (5900 Newman Court, near CSUS). He will be available for interview to members of the news media before and after the Newman Center appearance.

Aguayo, a conscientious objector who was denied his military discharge, served eight months in prison for refusing to return to Iraq following a court martial for desertion and missing movement.

Aguayo first applied for CO status in February, 2004 but while the application was being processed he was sent to Iraq as a medic where he refused to load his weapon. The Army denied his CO claim, and when his unit was to be sent back to Iraq in 2006, Aguayo missed the deployment and turned himself in.

The Army, rather than court martial him, threatened to send him to Iraq in shackles if necessary. Instead, Aguayo deserted, turning himself in again. He was subsequently convicted and served eight months in prison.

Aguayo, who has filed a federal court appeal of his denial of conscientious
objector status, said at his court martial that "My experiences in Iraq made my convictions stronger...in the end I had to listen to my conscience."

For more info: http://www.aguayodefense.org.