San Luis Obispo Tribune | Display of 850 images speaks out about war

San Luis Obispo Tribune | 07/05/2004 | Display of 850 images speaks out about war: "SAN LUIS OBISPO - One picture shows an American soldier kissing his baby, while another depicts a man hugging his cat. In a third, a smiling woman poses at a graduation.
The images of American service personnel killed in Iraq composed a Sunday display organized by a group of local youth who oppose war and are trying to develop a history of conscientious objection.
Some 850 pictures appeared altogether, one for each military member who's died since the conflict began in the spring of 2003.
About eight youths from around the county formed the Young Objectors United to End War, which unveiled its Faces of War exhibit in San Luis Obispo's Mission Plaza. Its members range in age from 14 to 22 and spent close to 200 hours constructing the work.
'The fact is that there is legislation regarding reinstating the draft ... ' said project mentor Melinda Forbes, a mother of one of the teens. 'So we want to create a history of young activism against war.'
The Universal National Service Act of 2003, which would essentially reinstate the draft, is before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Total Force. If signed into law, it would require all 18-to-26-year-olds to perform two years of military or civil service. Conscientious objectors wouldn't have to perform war-related duties."


Nathan Welton
The Tribune