Please join us for the
National Counter-Recruitment and Demilitarization Conference
in Chicago, July 17-19, 2009

Register Now Online at http://nnomy.org
Workshop proposal forms and scholarship applications are also available

This conference will bring together a broad spectrum of people to 
share skills and form the relationships needed to build a permanent 
resistance to militarism. Youth, parents, educators, veterans, 
artists, members of social justice organizations and more will come 
together for practical training on counter recruitment, legislative 
challenges and public pressure to promote nonmilitary alternatives.

Even though the Bush era is over, these are still critical times for 
the counter-recruitment movement.

*President Obama is committed to increasing the military by 92,000 
additional soldiers and expanding the war in Afghanistan.

*For recruiters, “school ownership” is their goal. They present 
themselves as “counselors” and are free to roam the halls and 
socialize with students. In many schools recruiters have their own 
office space and use class time to recruit. In most schools there is 
no one to help students evaluate what recruiters are offering or to 
help explore all the alternatives.

*In our schools every year 600,000 high school students take the Armed 
Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). In 1000 schools students 
are forced to take it. This military test is nothing but a recruiting 
tool. Half a million students are enrolled in JROTC while other, 
nonmilitary programs are cut. School districts everywhere are opening 
publicly funded military academies.

In our communities we are facing an economy that loses a half million 
jobs monthly, rising college costs, reduction in student aid, closing 
of training programs, lack of affordable housing and healthcare, and a 
growing crackdown on immigrants. This means that more people will see 
the military as their only option. This is a “Poverty Draft.”

But the issue isn’t only counter recruitment. It is about militarism. 
Military attitudes and values like obedience, conformity and the use 
of force to solve problems have seeped into every area of our society. 
One result is that many people believe that the only way to serve 
their country is to join the military. Another result is that we allow 
trillions of dollars to be spent on war and the military while our 
communities face crushing cuts in education, health care and other 
essential services.

It is crucial that counter-recruitment and social justice activists, 
youth and all who want to do something about it gather for this 
weekend of skill sharing, strategizing and solidarity.

We are committed to making sure that this conference brings together 
the broadest possible range of participants, especially youth. 
Scholarships are available to help cover the cost of travel and 
housing. Priority will be given to youth, residents of areas with few 
counter-recruitment resources and those who would otherwise not be 
able to attend.

It’s your world change it!

This historic event is being organized by activists and volunteers 
across the country working in collaboration with NNOMY, the National 
Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth. For more information: 
nnomy.org, crconf@gmail.com=

Diane Wood
817-800-4249