Mejía is a graduate of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, where he majored in psychology and Spanish.[2]: 1 Mejía spent six months in Iraq (his first and only combat tour). Mejia returned to the United States on a 2-week furlough in order to address an issue with his Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status; after which he did not return for duty. He was charged with desertion and sentenced to one year in prison for refusing to return to fight in Iraq. In March 2004, he turned himself in to the US military and filed an application for conscientious objector status.
On May 21, 2004, Mejía was convicted of desertion by a military jury and sentenced to one year confinement, reduction to the rank of Private E-1, and a Bad Conduct Discharge.
Camilo Mejía was released from prison on February 15, 2005.[4] Since his release, he has spoken at many peace protests and to the press about his experiences and his opposition to the war in Iraq. In 2005, he was recognized with the 'Young Leader Award' by Global Exchange, in San Francisco.
In August 2005, Camilo along with Desert Storm Veteran Dennis Kyne, stormed President Bush's vacation ranch house with Cindy Sheehan and future members of Camp Casey. [5]
Mejía has recently written a book entitled Road from Ar Ramadi: The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Mejía which recounts his journey of conscience in Iraq.
Mejía is interviewed in "The Ground Truth: After the Killing Ends (2006)", a documentary about the training and alleged dehumanization of U.S. soldiers, and how they struggle to come to terms with it when they come back home. In August 2007, Mejía was named the chair of the board of directors of Iraq Veterans Against the War.[6]
Song about Mejíaedit
In early 2006, alternative reggae/rock band State Radio released the album Us Against the Crown, which features the song "Camilo". When they heard of his story, State Radio wanted to bring conscientious objection to light. Lyrics in the song reflect on Camilo Mejía's situation:
Twenty days in a concrete fallout/ What life have I to take your own/ Oh my country, won't you call out/ Doorbells are ringing with boxes of bones/ And from another land's war torn corners/ To a prison cell in my own/ Punish me for not taking your orders/ But don't lock me up for not leavin' my home Camilo/ Camilo/ Leaving my home/ Camilo/ Camilo
^Democracy Now! | War Resister Camilo Mejia Elected to Chair Iraq Veterans Against the War, Group Encouraging War Resistance 2007-09-11 at the Wayback Machine
Further Informationedit
Zeiger, David, Evangeline Griego, Aaron Zarrow, Troy Garity, and Edward Asner. Sir! No sir! a David Zeiger film. New York, NY: Docurama Films, 2006. ISBN0767091930
External linksedit
FreeCamilo.com
January 01, 1970
camilo, mejía, camilo, ernesto, mejía, born, august, 1975, nicaraguan, left, united, states, army, during, iraq, conscientious, objector, grounds, convicted, desertion, went, become, anti, activist, also, carlos, mejia, godoy, nicaragua, songwriter, born, 1975. Camilo Ernesto Mejia born August 28 1975 1 is a Nicaraguan who left the United States Army during the Iraq War on conscientious objector grounds was convicted of desertion and went on to become an anti war activist He is also the son of Carlos Mejia Godoy Nicaragua songwriter Camilo MejiaBorn 1975 08 28 August 28 1975 age 48 Managua NicaraguaAllegianceUnited States of America deserted Service wbr branchUnited States Army deserted Years of service 1995 2004RankPrivate demoted from staff sergeant Battles warsIraq WarOther workRoad from Ar Ramadi The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Mejia Contents 1 Service and court martial 2 After prison 3 Song about Mejia 4 See also 5 References 6 Further Information 7 External linksService and court martial editMejia is a graduate of the University of Miami in Coral Gables Florida where he majored in psychology and Spanish 2 1 Mejia spent six months in Iraq his first and only combat tour Mejia returned to the United States on a 2 week furlough in order to address an issue with his Lawful Permanent Resident LPR status after which he did not return for duty He was charged with desertion and sentenced to one year in prison for refusing to return to fight in Iraq In March 2004 he turned himself in to the US military and filed an application for conscientious objector status On May 21 2004 Mejia was convicted of desertion by a military jury and sentenced to one year confinement reduction to the rank of Private E 1 and a Bad Conduct Discharge Mejia served his sentence at the Fort Sill military prison in Lawton Oklahoma During his time in custody he was recognized by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience 3 and was awarded by Refuse and Resist with its Courageous Resister Award He was also the recipient of the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award which was presented by his attorney Louis Font Camilo was recognized by the Detroit Michigan City Council with a commendation for his stand After prison editCamilo Mejia was released from prison on February 15 2005 4 Since his release he has spoken at many peace protests and to the press about his experiences and his opposition to the war in Iraq In 2005 he was recognized with the Young Leader Award by Global Exchange in San Francisco In August 2005 Camilo along with Desert Storm Veteran Dennis Kyne stormed President Bush s vacation ranch house with Cindy Sheehan and future members of Camp Casey 5 Mejia has recently written a book entitled Road from Ar Ramadi The Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Mejia which recounts his journey of conscience in Iraq Mejia is interviewed in The Ground Truth After the Killing Ends 2006 a documentary about the training and alleged dehumanization of U S soldiers and how they struggle to come to terms with it when they come back home In August 2007 Mejia was named the chair of the board of directors of Iraq Veterans Against the War 6 Song about Mejia editIn early 2006 alternative reggae rock band State Radio released the album Us Against the Crown which features the song Camilo When they heard of his story State Radio wanted to bring conscientious objection to light Lyrics in the song reflect on Camilo Mejia s situation Twenty days in a concrete fallout What life have I to take your own Oh my country won t you call out Doorbells are ringing with boxes of bones And from another land s war torn corners To a prison cell in my own Punish me for not taking your orders But don t lock me up for not leavin my home Camilo Camilo Leaving my home Camilo CamiloSee also edit nbsp Biography portal List of Iraq War resisters Peter Lilienthal Nuremberg Principles Principle IVReferences edit Miami News Camilo s Retreat A Delarte Iraqi war protesters gather to honor fallen servicemen The South End Detroit March 22 2003 USA Prisoner of Conscience Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia Castillo Amnesty International June 2 2004 Archived from the original on February 21 2023 Camilo Mejia freed from Oklahoma Army prison Iraq CO and family honored by Oklahoma peace activists Archived 2008 08 21 at the Wayback Machine Cindy Sheehan s challenge socialistworker org Retrieved 2020 07 01 Democracy Now War Resister Camilo Mejia Elected to Chair Iraq Veterans Against the War Group Encouraging War Resistance Archived 2007 09 11 at the Wayback MachineFurther Information editZeiger David Evangeline Griego Aaron Zarrow Troy Garity and Edward Asner Sir No sir a David Zeiger film New York NY Docurama Films 2006 ISBN 0767091930External links editFreeCamilo com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Camilo Mejia amp oldid 1210830031, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
