Hello All,
I hope that you have had a chance to read the news accounts of Victor’s court-martial. It was interesting and very inspiring to observe the process. It was also heartbreaking to see such an honorable and sincere person being escorted to jail, knowing that the real offenders, those who led us to war, are walking free.

We will be holding weekly protests at the Bell County jail every Saturday until Victor is released. Please join us this Saturday at 1pm at the new jail facility in Belton (link to map; scroll down for directions.) Please bring signs reflecting your support for Victor and other war resisters. Victor will not be able to see us, but, he knows that we will be there. I want to share with you the statement from Victor to his supporters which was read yesterday afternoon by his lawyer, James Branum.

Statement written by Victor Agosto to be read at court martial protest at the East Gate of Fort Hood:

Thank you for being here this evening.

I have learned that nothing is more frightening to power than a direct and principled challenge to its authority. The truth is on our side and those who have incarcerated me know it. This is something that no amount of pro-war propaganda can change.

My only regret is that I did not begin refusing orders sooner. My only apologies are to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. I hope that someday they can forgive me for my contributions to their distress.

Thank you for coming here to protest my incarceration. I am humbled by your demands for even greater concessions by the United States Army. I am completely content to spend a month in jail for the sake of my conscience. But it seems that reducing my sentence from a year in jail to thirty days in jail is just not enough for you people. This dedication to justice is something that draws me to people in the peace movement.

I look forward to continuing to work with you, the Texas peace community, to bring about the end of these horrendous occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq. I thank you for making me feel that I can comfortably call Texas my home, something that seemed unimaginable three and a half years ago when I first arrived at Fort Hood. You have treated me with a compassion and kindness that I do not deserve.

Your dedication to the cause inspires me to continue struggling for world peace.

- Victor Agosto

There is a map here http://www.bellcountytx.com/Sheriff/21directions.htm I’ve copied the text of the directions below.

DIRECTIONS FROM I-35

Take the Loop 121 exit (292) and proceed west on Loop 121. Follow Loop 121 around until you get to Huey Dr and turn into the Criminal Justice Complex. Parking to the new jail is on the west side (right) of the District Courts Building.

Onward,
Fran