FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Warren Kundis and Alison Denning held a coffin, banners and signs at a demonstration at the entrance to Fort Shafter in support of 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, the Kalani High graduate who refused to deploy to Iraq with his Washington-based Army unit.

Demonstrations support soldier's stance

First Lt. Ehren Watada is being confined for refusing to fight in Iraq

A Hawaii-born soldier's refusal to fight in Iraq drew more than 80 supporters at demonstrations at two Oahu locations yesterday, with rush-hour commuters tooting their horns in support or raising their middle fingers in disapproval.

The demonstrators waved signs at Thomas Square and just outside the main gate of Fort Shafter supporting Army 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, who refused to join his unit in Iraq on June 22. Watada is currently confined to Fort Lewis in Washington state pending possible court-martial charges for missing deployment to Iraq last week with the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division.

Yesterday's demonstrations drew strong emotions from supporters and detractors.

"One man drove by and gave us a thumbs-down while another woman in his car gave us a thumbs-up," said Warren Kundis, who held a life-size cardboard coffin to represent the thousands of people killed during the war in Iraq.

"This one young man has forced Americans to face a bunch of controversial issues that the government has been hiding," he said.

Watada's father, Bob, who visits his son every day, said his son is living in an officer's quarters on the base and is now part of a unit providing administrative support.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Supporter Derya Hanusz carried a sign in her stroller. She was there with her mom, Clare Hanusz.

"A lot of times I do feel conflicted," he said. "I feel the tug of traditional service (obedience), yet the obligation to my country to take a stand against an illegal war."

Bart Dame of the Progressive Democrats of Hawaii said, "It should not fall upon a young man to put his career and freedom on the line to make a statement."

Demonstrator Clare Hanusz hopes Watada's actions will inspire others to do the same. "He is very courageous, especially in light of the harsh punishments he faces," she said.

Military police and Honolulu Police Department officers monitored the peaceful demonstrations, which were conducted by representatives from local organizations including World Can't Wait, Not in Our Name, Code Pink and AnakBayan Hawaii.

"It's well within their rights to demonstrate for what they believe in," Fort Shafter spokesman John Williams said. "That's why we fight -- so they can do that, so they are ensured their First Amendment rights are not violated."

Honolulu demonstrators were part of numerous groups that gathered yesterday to celebrate the National Day of Action in Japan, Canada and more than 30 U.S. cities including Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and San Francisco.

Support vigils also were held yesterday afternoon along Queen Kaahumanu Highway in Kona and in Hilo.