As the US military occupation in Iraq drags on, more and more Mainers are refusing to pay their taxes to continue the conflict. War tax refusers and their supporters have been and will be distributing flyers on “where our tax money really goes” in 20-25 Maine locations.
The Maine War Tax Funds for Life will also give several $500 grants of refused tax money to Maine, national, and international groups who are trying to counteract the harm being done by the US presence in Iraq.
Over 50 cents of every income tax dollar paid by Maine taxpayers now goes for past and current military expenses. “I will not pay our government to threaten and kill in my name,” stated Larry Dansinger, coordinator of the Maine War Tax Resistance Resource Center. “That would make me an accomplice to murder,” he explained.
Those receiving grants of refused taxes include the Direct Aid Initiative, an international group providing medical care to Iraqi refugees in Jordan and Syria, and Iraq Veterans against the War (IVAW), made up of recent returnees from tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“IVAW is an organization working to bring our troops home and then providing them a platform to speak out as well as receive support in regards to their military service,” said IVAW member Brian Clement of Orono. This generous donation to IVAW will help us continue to fight for the truth and the rights and lives of our service members.”
Others receiving grants are the Western Mountains Peace Action Workshop, a Frankin county group promoting “truth in recruiting” with youth who are looking at enlisting in the military, and Simon Beckford, a young man just turning age 18 who is refusing to register for the draft for reasons of conscience. Beckford will use his money for higher education, since most school loans are denied to men who do not register.
In addition to the grants, people in a number of communities will distribute flyers on April 15. Bath refusers and supporters will conduct a “penny poll,” asking local residents on what government programs they would like their tax money spent. Previous polls have consistently shown that Maine people want much less given to the Pentagon and much more for education, health care, jobs, and the environment. In Brunswick, citizens will collect signatures on petitions to the city council to oppose a US attack against Iran.
In Bangor, two grants will be awarded at 3 PM on April 15 at the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine, 170 Park St., Bangor. Distribution of flyers explaining “where our tax money really goes” at the Bangor Post Office on Harlow Street will follow from 4-5:30 PM.
Events are also scheduled for other parts of Maine, including Portland, Bath, Farmington, and Brunswick. For more information about April 15 events in Portland, contact Stephanie Gharakhanian at Peace Action Maine, stephanie [at] peaceactionme [dot] org or 772-0680.
The Farmington contact person is Eileen Kreutz, 779-1943 or eileenkreutz900 [at] hotmail [dot] com For Bath and Brunswick, contact Rosalie Tyler Paul at 371-2077 or gaia [at] gwi [dot] net
For more information and locations of events on April 15, contact: Larry Dansinger, 525-7776 or rosc [at] psouth [dot] net Larry Dansinger will be available on Friday evening, April 11, and during the day on Monday, April 14, from 8 AM to 4 PM, at 525-7776. He can provide contact information for events in other parts of the state.
