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
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. |