It is reported that 1,332 people have been killed so far in the joint U.S. and Israeli act of war against Iran. I could not help but think of them when I saw the U.S. flag lowered to half mast in honor of the six U.S. soldiers who died in Kuwait, and the seventh killed in the UAE. Fallen U.S. soldiers are often called heroes, including these soldiers by the president himself.
My nation has dropped bombs on Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen since I was born in the year 2000. In that time I have come to see the U.S. imperial force as invaders and corporate plunderers, not heroes.
Gold star families have lost their precious children to the interests of the corrupt elite who run our nation, and they should be leading the call for retreat and surrender.
Iranians are not my enemy. I do not want them hurt. I stand against the U.S. in this war. We are the aggressors, and our acts of war cannot be justified no matter how ugly we think a regime to be. I cannot speak to the soldiers who have already sold their bodies to the U.S. and her interests, only those young men whom the army desires to give guns.
Fellow UNM Students, do not join this empire. Do not kill 1,332 because Iran stands against Washington’s and Wallstreet’s interests. Plead with your family who have joined this military regime to follow the example of Eddie Slovik. Your family will not die heroes.
- Thomas Abeyta
