'Just World News' with Helena Cobban

Appeal for a conscientious objector

Chuck Fager, the head of Quaker House in Fayetteville NC, has sent a message saying that Marine Corps Conscientious Objector (CO) Stephen Funk needs some cards and letters of support. Funk has just recently been transferred to the brig in Camp Lejeune, NC to serve a 6-month sentence.

This is the same brig where dozens of Marine COs were detained and harassed during the first Persian Gulf War.

As a public conscientious objector to war and an openly gay man, Funk is at particular risk. The more his jailers know that the outside world is watching, the better (we hope) they'll treat him. (This is called the Amnesty International Theory.) Funk would therefore appreciate letters from supporters at the following address:

Stephen Funk
Building 1041
PSC 20140
Camp Lejeune, NC 28542

More details from his defense committee:

On September 6th, a military jury acquitted Stephen Funk of desertion and found him guilty of Unauthorized Absence for failing to report for duty at his San Jose, CA unit. The military sentenced Funk to six months in military prison, a bad conduct discharge, a reduction of rank and forfeiture of two-thirds pay. Supporters hail his sentencing as a partial victory. The jury recognized the fact that because Stephen filed for a discharge as a CO, he was not a military deserter.

The Stephen Funk Legal Defense Committee and other supporters are shifting focus to concern about Funk's welfare in the brig as he serves his sentence.

Based on past experience of COs who served time in Camp Lejeune, prisoners undergo discipline that mirrors the training of boot camp with the intent of forcing compliance with prison rules. During the 1991 Gulf War, COs were subject to numerous instances of harassment during a week-long "indoctrination" in which marines were hazed and forced to participate in war training chants such as "Blood Makes the Grass Grow, Marines make the Blood Flow."

Gulf War CO Eric Larsen was also sentenced to six months in the Camp Lejeune brig, "I hope that the Marine Corps authorities will treat Stephen fairly. Any harassment or hazing is not acceptable. Stephen should not have to stand at attention to for hours at a time or be subject to hard labor," he said.

In 1991, Marine objector Jeff Patterson spent pre-trial confinement in a brig in Pearl Harbor, "The only reason why I wasn't harassed in the brig was because my supporters were vocal on my behalf."

Stephen Funk's attorney Stephen Collier has communicated with the commander of the Camp Lejeune brig, Chief Warrant Officer Laird. "I have requested that Stephen be placed in the safest environment. Stephen's case has received a lot of media attention and there may be guards and fellow prisoners that may be hostile to him." Laird has assured Collier that no harassment will be tolerated. Supporters in the Camp Lejeune and Fayetteville, NC area are encouraged to visit Funk during his sentence.

Funk's supporters have established a scholarship fund to support his further education and will be planning a homecoming celebration in the San Francisco Bay Area upon his return.

Stephen Funk's supporters are not only asking for Funk's speedy return to friends and family, they are asking for all the troops to be returned home.

For more information contact:
Stephen Collier 415.771.9851