Support grows for soldier who spoke out against Afghanistan war

 

Support has been flowing in for Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, a British soldier who spoke out against the war in Afghanistan in last week’s Socialist Worker, calling for British troops to be brought home.
Joe refused to return to Afghanistan to fight in a war that he believes is wrong, and has been absent without leave for the last two years.
He now faces a court martial, which is set to begin on 3 August.
Three British soldiers have died in the Helmand province of Afghanistan in the last week, bringing the number killed there to 18 so far this month. The deaths have only strengthened Joe’s determination to speak out.
Rose Gentle, whose son Gordon died in Iraq in 2003, has been in contact to offer Joe the support of the Military Families Against the War campaign.
Rose told Socialist Worker, “Joe has got every right to say how he feels. If he believes that this war is wrong he is right to stand up and say it – other soldiers who feel the same way should do the same.
“I can’t understand why he is facing a possible two year prison sentence. My heart goes out to him.
“Everybody needs to stand by Joe by writing to their MPs and the government. They need to bring all the troops home.”
Anti-war activists and trade unionists should rally to Joe’s defence, and ensure that the army do not get away with prosecuting this brave man for daring to oppose a brutal war.