Signed Petition Seeking Amnesty for Vietnamese War Draft Evaders and Deserters

Amnesty Petition For all those whose opposition to the war in Indochina brought them into conflict with the laws of the Government, we ask amnesty. We call upon the Congress to enact amnesty in its legislative authority to determine what is the law. We call upon the President to declare amnesty by his executive authority. Amnesty is not pardon. In judicial tradition, amnesty forgets or blots out the offense for the sake of recon- ciliation and a new beginning. Let us remember in proclaiming amnesty we affirm our tradition of defense of conscience, the duty of individuals to judge for themselves what is right in the face of conflicting duties, and the foundation of our society on higher moral law. This war has brought no heroes but only victims. Therefore let us not be vindictive toward one group to assuage the suffering of others. While we are making peace with our enemies, let us be reconciled among ourselves. We may be brought together again only if redress is provided for those who had to face jail or exile for their convictions. Let all those who are convicted be set free and all those facing prosecution or who might be prosecuted be immunized from further jeopardy and all records wiped clean. For all deserters, draft vio- lators, and those accused of civilian acts of resistance let there be a new beginning. Let us amnesty also all those who, because of the war, were brought into extenuating circumstances in which they breached civilian or military regulations or were denied the full protections of due process. For the half million veterans who are now being punished for life by other-than-honorable discharges, let their records be corrected to make them eligible for benefits that would facilitate a more hopeful future. Religious tradition teaches that "you should not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason with your neighbor, lest you bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudges against the sons of your own people " We cannot restore to life our dead soldiers, nor undo the hurts and wounds of others. We cannot undo the devastation of the lands and people of Indochina. We can repent and work for post-war healing. An uncon- ditional amnesty would free us for a responsible and serious effort to rebuild our divided people. Signature Name (Print legibly) Address Zip Vicki Rovere Vicki ROVERE 153Ludlow St., NY, NY 10002 Susan Lim Joseph Laurayellen Damello 100 Parbroke 51, Bosta, news $ 2118 14048 Joseph Janello Laura Yellen 134 Lake Sh. Dr. East Dunkirk. N.Y. 5 Fisher Rd., Sharon, Mass. 02067 ROBERT JACOBVITZ Pauline Kath PAUlINE R. KATZ 478 THIRD ST., BROOKLYN NY 11215 970 BEACON ST NEWTON,MASS .02159 Cathy equabetcy levine CATHY LEVINE 66 LEYINGTON # SUMERVILLE 02144 Peg Walctcky 342 North st Boston 02109 Robert J. Menhen Anita MARTIN 342 North St. Boston 02109 ROBERT MeNKeN 91 PAYSON Ave NYC NY Judi manker Judi Menken alm Rat 91 Payson Ave NYC 10034 ALAN J. KATZ Oun Kath JAN KATZ 2031 Cruger Ave Bx NY " 10462 " failin CarlJ Fultstan CARL FRITSCHE 37 HOSMER MARCBORO Beith MCKay 272 Vernon Av, Paterson, is Raymond W Rarks RAYMONDW.PARKSJR 15 SELENCILLAUE Allston MASS MarilyN GAlliVAN 16 Mann St Braintree D.L. BEHRENS 31 HIGHLANDAVE WATERTOWN JOANNE R OGOVIN 26 WELLANDRD BROOKLUNEOUYL LISA SCHWARTZ 21 LiNe St. Somervillema. Copies of this petition are available, at no charge, from Clergy and Laity Concerned. When you send in your completed petition, if at all possible, we ask that you enclose a check for $5 to $10 so we can escalate our drive for amnesty with ads in journals and publication of amnesty material, and facilitate work in local com- munities on this issue. Return to Clergy & Laity Concerned Amnesty Program 235 E. 49th St. N.Y., N.Y. 10017 Amnesty Petition For all those whose opposition to the war in Indochina brought them into conflict with the laws of the Government, we ask amnesty. We call upon the Congress to enact amnesty in its legislative authority to determine what is the law. We call upon the President to declare amnesty by his executive authority. Amnesty is not pardon. In judicial tradition, amnesty forgets or blots out the offense for the sake of recon- ciliation and a new beginning. Let us remember in proclaiming amnesty we affirm our tradition of defense of conscience, the duty of individuals to judge for themselves what is right in the face of conflicting duties, and the foundation of our society on higher moral law. This war has brought no heroes but only victims. Therefore let us not be vindictive toward one group to assuage the suffering of others. While we are making peace with our enemies, let us be reconciled among ourselves. We may be brought together again only if redress is provided for those who had to face jail or exile for their convictions. Let all those who are convicted be set free and all those facing prosecution or who might be prosecuted be immunized from further jeopardy and all records wiped clean. For all deserters, draft vio- lators, and those accused of civilian acts of resistance let there be a new beginning. Let us amnesty also all those who, because of the war, were brought into extenuating circumstances in which they breached civilian or military regulations or were denied the full protections of due process. For the half million veterans who are now being punished for life by other-than-honorable discharges, let their records be corrected to make them eligible for benefits that would facilitate a more hopeful future. Religious tradition teaches that "you should not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason with your neighbor, lest you bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudges against the sons of your own people " We cannot restore to life our dead soldiers, nor undo the hurts and wounds of others. We cannot undo the devastation of the lands and people of Indochina. We can repent and work for post-war healing. An uncon- ditional amnesty would free us for a responsible and serious effort to rebuild our divided people. Plainview, N.Y. Signature nelisaa Young Melissa Name (Print Young legibly) 49Kalda Address Lane 11803 Zip Shari Movks 379 Maulborough StBoston 02115 OnleneM, Romanauski Arlene M. Romanauski 122 FarhillDr, Pa 18966 Rosember KDuffy Rosemary K Duffy 57 BickFord Are Revere.Ma. Kapla soldwarty KARLA SectwARr 570A PARK RD Co. HARTFORD CT. Linda KranD Linda Krantz 35 KemptonSt. Hamil Char Jr. 95W Neber st Longuein 06119 mary Las Smith MARY Lou Smith norwell mass Keny , to Benhela ST., Borton Mass 02/16 02146 Sush H. Dovis SusAn H. DAVIS 1011 Beacon st., Brookline, Wa, Jang Ellanor 6 Fleeder Eleanor 6 Flagler 33 wilson 02135 JOAN KENNEDY 35Pleasant St. mass. Elizabeth B2/15/4 no. munineter Dor. 62/22'75 Robit W Foles ROBERT FORBES 100 HARMOND WALTHAM Mary Formstall Mary Forristall 383 Wunchester St Newton John John M. Bishop 34 Isabella BOSTON f Peter Fredrickson 30 Central St. Auburndale, Ma. 02144 Carol Lamp 33 Chickatabot Rd Guiney 02169 CAROl LAOND ALLEN H. KARAN 446 central, Northfreld see 1730 SEA St Quencle 02169 Copies of this petition are available, at no charge, from Clergy and Laity Concerned. When you send in your completed petition, if at all possible, we ask that you enclose a check for $5 to $10 so we can escalate our drive for amnesty with ads in journals and publication of amnesty material, and facilitate work in local com- munities on this issue. Return to Clergy & Laity Concerned Amnesty Program 235 E. 49th St. N.Y., N.Y. 10017 October 24, 1974 Dear Miss Rovere: Thank you for your comments in regard to the President's clemency program. Your thoughts, together with those of many other citizens, have contributed to the understanding and knowledge of the full spectrum of American opinion sought by the President. Sincerely, Theodore C. Marrs Special Assistant to the President Miss Vicki Rovere c/o Arlington Street Church 355 Boylston 2 Boston, J Massachusetts 02116 TCM:bll TCM-2