Gay Conscientious Objector Marine Stephen Funk
Source: PFLAG Jackson Member
On Thursday, September 10 the Marine Corps flew Stephen under guard to Camp Lejune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina where he will serve his sentence in the military prison for unauthorized absence during the Iraq War. The military prison in North Carolina is the same brig where dozens of Marine Conscientious Objectors were detained and harassed during the first Persian Gulf War in 1991.
On September 6th, a military jury acquitted Stephen Funk of desertion and found him guilty of Unauthorized Absence for not reporting for duty at his San Jose, CA unit. The military sentenced Funk to six months in military prison, a bad conduct discharge, a reduction of rank and forfeiture of two-thirds pay. "This was a partial victory.
The jury recognized the fact that because Stephen filed for a
discharge as a conscientious objector, he was not a military
deserter," says Aimee Allison Gulf War Conscientious Objector and
supporter.
The Stephen Funk Legal Defense committee and other supporters are shifting focus to concern about Funk's welfare in the brig as he serves his sentence. As a public conscientious objector to war and an openly gay man, Funk is at particular risk.
Based on past experience of Conscientious Objectors who served prison time in Camp Lejune brig, prisoners undergo indoctrination training that mirrors boot camp. The intent of the training is to force prisoners to comply with prison rules. During the 1991 Gulf War, Conscientious Objectors were subject to numerous instances of harassment and hazing. They were forced to participate in war training chants such as "Blood Makes the Grass Grow, Marines make the Blood Flow" according to Gulf War conscientious objector Erik Larsen. Eric Larsen was also sentenced to a six months sentence for unauthorized absence and served time in the Camp Lejune brig in 1991.
"I hope that the Marine Corps authorities will treat Stephen fairly. Any harassment or hazing is not acceptable. Stephen should not have to stand at attention to hours at a time, be shackled in irons by hand or foot, or be subject to derogatory or racist speech," says Erik Larsen.
In 1991, Marine objector Jeff Patterson spent pre-trial confinement in a brig in Pearl Harbor, "The only reason why I wasn't harassed in the brig was because my supporters were vocal on my behalf."
Stephen Funk's attorney Stephen Collier has communicated with the commander of the Camp Lejune brig, Chief Warrant Officer Laird. "I have requested that Stephen be placed in the safest environment. Stephen's case has received a lot of media attention and there may be guards and fellow prisoners that may be hostile to him." Laird has assured Collier that no harassment will be tolerated. Supporters in the Camp Lejune and Fayetteville, NC area are encouraged to visit Funk during his sentence. In addition, Stephen Funk would appreciate letters from supporters at the following address:
Stephen Funk
Building 1041
PSC 20140
Camp Lejune, NC 28542
Funk's supporters have established a scholarship fund to support his college education after his release and will be planning a homecoming celebration in the San Francisco Bay Area upon his return.
Stephen Funk's supporters are not only asking for Funk's speedy return to friends and family, they are asking for all the troops to be returned home.
Marguerite (Marti) Hiken
318 Ortega Street
San Francisco, CA 94122
415-566-4028 * Fax: 415-564-1945
mlhiken@pacbell.net
NLG MILITARY LAW TASK FORCE
1168 Union Street, Suite 302, San Diego, CA 92101
415-566-3732 (Marti Hiken, co-chair)
619-233-1701 (Kathy Gilberd, co-chair)
http://www.nlg.org/mltf/
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NLG MILITARY LAW TASK FORCE
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