VETERANS FOR PEACE
Greater Atlanta Chapter 125
Atlanta IVAW
Iraq Veterans Against the War
Including
JONATHAN HUTTO SPEAKS IN ATLANTA - MEMORIAL DAY 2007
Appeal for Redress
Jonathan Hutto home on leave in Atlanta
Native son of Atlanta and active duty US Navy seaman, Jonathan Hutto, returned home on leave in Atlanta for the Memorial Day weekend and spoke at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church in Decatur on Sunday, May 27, 2007.
Jonathan, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and now lives and serves aboard the US Navy aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt based in Norfolk, Virginia, told Atlanta churchgoers and activists his personal story of growing up in Atlanta under the influence of his mother, Jacqueline Fortson Hutto, and the legacy left by Martin Luther King, Jr. He spoke of his early activism as a college student, his reasons for joining the US Navy, his experiences as a sailor in the Navy, and how he came to co-found the Appeal for Redress campaign calling for the prompt withdrawal of all US troops and bases in Iraq. Jonathan wrapped up his talk with some history of the GI resistance movement and showed a clip from the film documentary, "Sir! No, Sir!"
Jonathan has spoken at national antiwar rallies in Washington DC, has appeared on CNN, the BBC, and in the pages of the Washington Post and The Nation.
The events at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church were organized by Kevin Moran of the church's Peacemaking & Justice Committee. The afternoon event for the public was co-sponsored by Atlanta Veterans For Peace and the Georgia Peace & Justice Coalition/Atlanta.
Channel 2 Action News (ABC affiliate in Atlanta) and Channel 11 Alive (NBC affiliate) provided excellent news coverage on their evening news. Online video of the 11 Alive coverage is available HERE.
A more indepth interview of Jonathan was conducted by Atlanta VFP member Ingemar Smith with video and logistical support by Al Viola and Bob Bernstein. (Information about any forthcoming DVD will be provided as it becomes available.)
For more information on the Appeal for Redress campaign, please visit their website at www.appealforredress.org
"As a patriotic American proud to serve the nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to support the prompt withdrawal of all American military forces and bases from Iraq . Staying in Iraq will not work and is not worth the price. It is time for U.S. troops to come home. " www.appealforredress.org
Jonathan Hutto with his son Jonathan, and his mother, Jacquelyn Fortson Hutto at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church where Jonathan spoke, Sunday, May 27, 2007. (Photo by VFP member Debbie Clark)
Jonathan, relaxing in the pew with his family following the morning service at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church where he spoke to the supportive congregation for about 15 minutes. (Photos by Debbie Clark)
Jonathan being interviewed by a reporter from Channel 2 Action News (ABC affiliate) prior to the afternoon speaking event. (Photos above and below by GPJC photographer Al Viola.)
Organizers and/or attendees: 1) Renee Vorbach, Sven Lovgren, Kevin Moran, Debbie Clark; 2) Reid Jenkins and Barbara Joye, name not currently available; front, Ann Mauney; 3) the church pastor addressing the audience prior to the afternoon event.
Jonathan Hutto speaking to the audience assembled at the 1 PM speaking event at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church.
The many faces of Jonathan Hutto
(These photos by GPJC photographer Al Viola.)
Debbie Clark, US Army veteran and member of Atlanta VFP
Jonathan Hutto talking with Ingemar Smith, a US Navy veteran and member of Atlanta VFP.
Jonathan Hutto and Debbie Clark with Jonathan, Jr. on the left.
Ingemar Smith interviews Jonathan Hutto with GPJC photograph Al Viola videotaping. (Not shown: Bob Bernstein with the audio equipment.) Photos by Debbie Clark
More photos of Ingemar Smith interviewing Jonathan Hutto while Jonathan's son, Jonathan, watches. Photos by Al Viola
Click twice to play
Raw footage of Jonathan Hutto speaking at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 27, 2007. In this short clip, he is speaking about black GIs, GI resistance during the Vietnam War, and the documentary film, "Sir! No, Sir!"
