From the LA Chapter of World Can’t Wait
We Are Not Your Soldiers was an undeniable presence at LA Rising. Hundreds of orange WANYS bandanas were visible on arms, around necks, hanging from belts, and worn as head covers. 10 Students from the LA area, whose teacher has had the speaking tour visit his classes, staffed our table and met and talked with young people about driving recruiters out of schools.
Youth, and all ages created a We Are NOT Your Soldiers Banner collectively and this process evoked thoughtful discussions between people who got to know each other as they spoke about what message they wanted military recruiters to hear. "Bombing for peace is like f*&king for virginity""F&*k YOU-I won’t do what you tell me!""Don’t be manipulated by your own gov’t again!""Wake Up!!!""I love my friends so stop recruiting!""Ya Basta!" "Don’t take my brother!"
People who visited our booth were eager to learn about We Are NOT Your Soldiers as well as the other important work of World Can’t Wait to stop the crimes of this government. Some told us that they are opposed to much of what has been happening with the wars, the torture, with the poverty draft, the militirazation of the US/Mexico border, women’s rights…but that they don’t watch or read the news so they did not know that there was a vehicle of expression like the World Can’t Wait movement. A question that kept coming up from people of conscience we met was "What can I do?". At one point a small group at the WANYS table were wrangling this out..and a young man spoke up and said."You can join this movement!" He pointed at a WANYS bandana with the world cant wait website on it. He’s right,. Supporting and sustaining this movement is a righteous act of resistance.