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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
259:
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
169:. 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
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Camilo Mejía was released from prison on
February 15, 2005. Since his release, he has spoken at many peace protests and to the press about his experiences and his opposition to the war in
282:, 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:
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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.
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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
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On May 21, 2004, Mejía was convicted of desertion by a military jury and sentenced to one year confinement, reduction to the rank of
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457:"War Resister Camilo Mejia Elected to Chair Iraq Veterans Against the War, Group Encouraging War Resistance"
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411:"Camilo Mejia freed from Oklahoma Army prison, Iraq CO and family honored by Oklahoma peace activists"
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Zeiger, David, Evangeline Griego, Aaron Zarrow, Troy Garity, and Edward Asner.
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which was presented by his attorney Louis Font. Camilo was recognized by the
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Amnesty
International prisoners of conscience held by the United States
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A. Delarte, "Iraqi war protesters gather to honor fallen servicemen"
388:"USA: Prisoner of Conscience, Staff Sergeant Camilo Mejia Castillo"
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Road from Ar Ramadi: The
Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Mejía
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Road from Ar Ramadi: The
Private Rebellion of Staff Sergeant Mejía
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238:. In 2005, he was recognized with the 'Young Leader Award' by
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Prisoners and detainees of the United States military
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256:which recounts his journey of conscience in Iraq.
226:, City Council with a commendation for his stand.
287:Camilo/ Camilo/ Leaving my home/ Camilo/ Camilo
218:. He was also the recipient of the Peace Abbey
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568:United States Army personnel of the Iraq War
272:In early 2006, alternative reggae/rock band
252:Mejía has recently written a book entitled
126:who left the United States Army during the
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543:Nicaraguan emigrants to the United States
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485:. New York, NY: Docurama Films, 2006.
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370:"U.S. GI Refuses To Return To Iraq"
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376:. Associated Press. May 18, 2004.
324:Nuremberg Principles#Principle IV
191:Mejía served his sentence at the
523:American conscientious objectors
483:Sir! No sir! a David Zeiger film
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343:Miami – News – Camilo's Retreat
394:. June 2, 2004. Archived from
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558:People convicted of desertion
262:Iraq Veterans Against the War
93:(demoted from staff sergeant)
16:US Army deserter and activist
122:(born August 28, 1975) is a
573:United States Army soldiers
433:"Cindy Sheehan's challenge"
220:Courage of Conscience Award
153:Mejía is a graduate of the
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314:List of Iraq War resisters
134:grounds, was convicted of
359:(Detroit) March 22, 2003.
216:Courageous Resister Award
149:Service and court-martial
138:and went on to become an
59:United States of America
548:Nicaraguan male writers
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208:prisoner of conscience
175:conscientious objector
161:, where he majored in
132:conscientious objector
398:on February 21, 2023.
392:Amnesty International
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204:Amnesty International
186:Bad Conduct Discharge
159:Coral Gables, Florida
79:Years of service
279:Us Against the Crown
120:Camilo Ernesto Mejía
553:People from Managua
476:Further Information
437:socialistworker.org
276:released the album
210:and was awarded by
155:University of Miami
533:Iraq War resisters
72:United States Army
224:Detroit, Michigan
212:Refuse and Resist
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319:Peter Lilienthal
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200:Lawton, Oklahoma
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440:. Retrieved
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518:1975 births
274:State Radio
182:Private E-1
82:?1995?-2004
512:Categories
491:0767091930
442:2020-07-01
330:References
163:psychology
124:Nicaraguan
74:(deserted)
61:(deserted)
55:Allegiance
35:1975-08-28
214:with its
193:Fort Sill
171:desertion
136:desertion
49:Nicaragua
374:CBS News
292:See also
184:, and a
177:status.
143:activist
140:anti-war
128:Iraq War
102:Iraq War
66:Service/
167:Spanish
91:Private
45:Managua
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68:branch
242:, in
206:as a
487:ISBN
236:Iraq
165:and
87:Rank
29:Born
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