Don't Ask Don't Tell March on 40th anniversary of Stonewall

 

A Message from the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network:

 

Dear Colleague,

 

As you know, this week we mark the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. As Barney Frank noted last week, we have made significant progress since then, but, unfortunately, discrimination still exists – and we have much more hard work ahead of us.

 

At SLDN we have been thinking of an appropriate way to honor those who took to the streets 40 years ago in Greenwich Village to fight for our freedoms.  And, at the same time, we want to honor the estimated 65,000 service members currently serving in silence every day under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." We also want to recognize and appreciate the 13,000 patriotic service members who have been discharged under the law.

 

Like those who fought back four decades ago and took to the streets, we, too, say, "Enough!"

 

Led by the fighting Cook v. Gates plaintiffs (service members discharged under DADT), we will be marching to the White House on Saturday, June 27 to call upon President Obama to break his silence on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  The first 265 marchers will be veterans and service members. This is the number of service members discharged since January 20 when the President took office. In addition, family and friends of service members will be attending to implore the president to lead the way with lawmakers to get repeal done in this Congress and to end discrimination in the military.

 

We hope this can be a real community-sponsored event and that you and your organization can help make this an appropriate and spirited Stonewall commemoration. One doesn't need to be a veteran or on active duty to show up and support our LGBT troops, one only needs to be committed to equality for all. We will meet in Farragut Square (17^th & K St NW) at 2:00pm and march to the White House from there.

 

Even if you can’t make it to Washington, D.C., you can still play an important and hands on role in the demonstration…

 

·         Become an official sponsor of the march. We would love to add your organization’s name to the growing list of official co-sponsors. In turn, we encourage you to spread the word about the march to your supporters and feature information on your website.

 

·         Call the White House switchboard on Saturday. While we’re marching to the White House, you and your supporters can join us by calling the White House switchboard at 202-456-1414. Help amplify the call for President Obama to break his silence on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

 

·         Call your members of Congress. Your supporters can also take action by calling their members of Congress to urge they co-sponsor the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1283) – the bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and replace it with a policy of non-discrimination. Click here for more information about calling members of Congress.

 

Together, we have a real opportunity to deliver a powerful message to the White House, Congress, and to the American people, and to let our service members know they have not been forgotten. Let me know your thoughts and if you have any questions.

 

We look forward to your feedback and participation. If you wish to be added today as one of the official sponsors, please let me or Ben Mishkin (bmishkin@sldn.org), SLDN Grassroots Organizer, know.

 

Thank you,

Aubrey

 

Aubrey Sarvis

Executive Director

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

202.621.5409

 

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Don’t Ask Don’t Tell:

 

This week SALT sent a letter to President Obama urging him to use his leadership to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and to adopt an anti-discriminatory policy towards service by gays and lesbians in the military.  Please distribute these documents.    Visit the  SALT Website  for more information.

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