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Military Law Task Force The Military Law Task Force (MLTF) is a national committee of the Guild composed of attorneys, law students, legal workers (paralegals), jailhouse lawyers, and draft and military counselors (lay advocates) who work on issues of military law and policy. It coordinates the Guild's draft, military, veterans and anti-militarist work. The MLTF also attempts to assist GIs in finding legal support when necessary. Local Members & Activists can help staff and support the GI Rights Hotline. MLTF trainers are available to come to Detroit. Please contact Cynthia Heenan to help organize a training and/or staff the GI Rights Hotline locally. The MLTF supports the struggles of GIs who have found justice itself at risk in the military and its attendant institutions. It has offered practical legal and political assistance when it has been needed the most. This includes: * impact litigation challenging discriminatory treatment of people with AIDS * courtroom defense of draft registration resisters * pro-bono work to secure basic benefits for homeless veterans * taking part in a national hotline to support GIs opposed to war. Whether a GI is struggling against U.S. military policy, against racist, sexist and homophobic abuse, or against military influence in their communities, the MLTF is there to offer assistance. NLG MLTF Projects Include: * MLTF MILITARY WOMEN'S RIGHTS PROJECT (MWRP) * BRIEF BANK COMMITTEE * NLG LOS ANGELES CHAPTER'S BILL SMITH MILITARY RESISTANCE PROJECT * MLTF-NLG NEW YORK CHAPTER MILITARY LAW PANEL * MLTF BAY AREA MILITARY LAW PANEL MLTF programs include: EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS The MLTF has produced a number of memoranda and other materials on draft counseling, military law and veterans' rights. In addition, the MLTF publishes a newsletter, ON WATCH, with legal and political analysis of military, draft, veterans and anti-militarism issues. LEGAL RESEARCH AND SUPPORT Through our membership network, the MLTF provides legal back-up to counselors and attorneys with specific questions about selective service and military law. We welcome questions and requests for assistance. Periodic mailing to MLTF members and meetings at regional and national Guild conferences provide an opportunity for our members to discuss the political and legal issues involved in their work. SPEAKERS BUREAU The MLTF includes Guild members throughout the country who can speak on legal and political aspects of registration and the draft, military law, veterans' rights, and anti-militarism. We can assist in developing educational seminars and provide speakers for programs of other organizations. ANTI-MILITARISM ORGANIZING (COUNTER RECRUITMENT) The Guild opposes aggressive and interventionist military policies, and works to provide support for those in and out of the military who challenge such policies. Through the MLTF, the Guild supports efforts to counter the military's influence in our communities. MILITARY LAW The MLTF is involved in efforts to protect the legal rights of military personnel, and to combat discrimination based on race, sex or sexual orientation. Our work in this area includes direct assistance to service members, assistance to attorneys and counselors handling military law matters, and litigation challenging oppressive military policies. SPECIAL PROJECTS ON MILITARY RIGHTS The MLTF is deeply concerned about the military's discriminatory treatment of people with AIDS and those who are simply positive for the HIV antibody. We provide legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the policy, and have developed educational materials and an informal legal network to assist counselors and attorneys. The MLTF also has a strong continuing commitment to the struggle against racism, sexual discrimination and harassment, and homophobia in the military. VETERANS RIGHTS We are developing counseling materials on discharge upgrading and on veterans' rights in Veterans Administration proceedings, including the Court of Veterans Appeals. |