Yesterday, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ehren K. Watada from Fort Lewis, Wash., visited the UW campus. Watada spoke on his decision to refuse deployment, the illegality of the war in Iraq and his duty as a U.S. military officer.

Lauro H. Flores, chair of the Department of American Ethnic Studies, opened the event.

“Watada is not alone … He is among many prominent U.S. military leaders who have declined to participate in a war that they feel has been illegal,” Flores said.

The soldier resistance movement is growing, he said.

“[The soldiers] are voicing their opinions against the random, illegitimate violence,” Flores said. “It is their duty to refuse to participate in this war because it is illegal.”

Watada is the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to Iraq. He is facing more than six years in military prison for missing movement, conduct unbecoming of an officer and contempt towards an officer.

“I know my decision to speak out against the war is controversial at the least,” Watada said. “But I believe my highest duty as an officer is to condemn these violations of the law.”

“I know that many of you have questions, and I know that some of you in this room despise me,” Watada continued. “I respect that; that is your opinion. All that I ask is that you respect my opinions too.”

Watada recited his military oath, claiming that the oath does not mean that one does not follow blindly no matter the legality of his or her orders. Soldiers are not indentured servants without free will, he said.

“I believe that my duty is higher than that … My duty is to protect the American people no matter what costs; my duty is to defend democracy … to keep tyranny and authoritative governments in check,” Watada said.

Students had mixed reactions to Watada’s speech.

“I commend him for standing up for his beliefs,” said junior Jacob King. “But I believe that nobody conned him into signing his name on the dotted line; he knew what he was getting himself into.”

Watada, who spent over a year memorizing U.S. law before making his decision, said you must know the law before you can defend the law.

Despite his efforts in self education, the military court will not allow Watada to use any evidence or witnesses in defense of his case on Feb. 5.

“I know that the U.S. military is making an example out of my case so that other soldiers will not follow my lead,” Watada said.

Watada asked what will happen when the U.S. has a military that refuses to question the legal nature of orders. His comparison of George W. Bush in the Iraq War and Adolf Hitler in World War II drew a very dark illustration of the U.S.’s future.

“Leaders who hear only silence will receive that as a mandate that they are doing the right thing,” Watada said. “When the silence is broke, when words are turned into action, leaders will take notice.”

When the people are silent, it becomes [the military’s] duty to hold accountability for the crimes and conduct of their leaders, Watada said.

Reporter Tina Abrams: tinaabrams@thedaily.washington.edu