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Revision as of 21:19, 23 July 2004 by 209.86.2.204 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) is a non-profit corporation originally created to oppose the Vietnam War.
VVAW currently describes itself as a national veterans' organization that campaigns for peace, justice, and the rights of all United States military veterans. It publishes a twice-yearly newsletter The Veteran, previously published more frequently as 1st Casualty (1971-2) and then as Winter Soldier (1973-5).
History
VVAW was founded in New York City in 1967 after six Vietnam veterans marched together in an anti-war demonstration. As opposition to the war grew, membership in the VVAW grew from 600 members in 1970 to 11,000 in 1971. This was however a very small proportion of returning combatants. At this time, VVAW is said to have received significant financial support from Jane Fonda and other celebrity peace activists.
In January 1971, VVAW sponsored The Winter Soldier Investigation to gather testimony from soldiers on political and military leaders' misconduct of the war. Intended as a public event, it was boycotted by much of the mainstream media, although the Detroit Free Press covered it daily and immediately began investigating with what was being said. However, all its stories were read into the congressional record in April 1971, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee enquiry into the conduct of the war. One of the Winter Soldier organizers, Al Hubbard, was later shown to have lied about his service during the war. He did not give testimony during the Winter Soldier Investigation.
This enquiry took place amid a week of VVAW-led demonstrations in Washington, DC. John Kerry, as VVAW spokesman and executive, testified against the war during hearings. Meanwhile, veterans and mothers of soldiers killed in Vietnam marched to Arlington Cemetery, and veterans camped out in protest on The Mall. There was also a medal-returning demonstration on the steps of the Capitol.
In 1972, VVAW continued antiwar protests, and released Winter Soldier, a 16mm black and white documentary movie showing participants in activities at the 1971 event.
By 1973, US combat involvement in Vietnam ended, and VVAW changed its emphasis, to advocate amnesty for draft resisters and dissenters. President Jimmy Carter eventually granted an amnesty in 1980.
Similarly-named different group
The relatively small group Vietnam Veterans Against the War Anti-Imperialist (VVAW-AI) is not a faction, caucus or part of VVAW. The VVAW web site describes VVAW-AI as "the creation of an obscure, ultra-left sect called the Revolutionary Communist Party ... designed to pimp off of VVAW's history of struggle."
Further reading
- Kerry, John, "New Soldier". John Kerry and Vietnam Veterans Against the War. MacMillan Publishing Company. October, 1971. ASIN 002073610X