This image by Josh MacPhee is from Celebrate People’s History/Iraq Veterans Against the War: Ten Years of Fighting for Peace and Justice, a portfolio that celebrated IVAW’s first ten years and was produced by Justseeds, IVAW, Booklyn, Repetitive Press, and the Civilian Soldier Alliance.
(IVAW is now known as About Face: Veterans Against the War)
Two men, drawn in a graphic novel style in dark red and light green colors, stand close to each other. On the right, a helmeted people officer with a shield covering his face. On the left, a man with a beard and wearing a camouflaged hat and jacket. A large word bubble comes from his mouth, saying, “We know what it’s like to on your side of the line, we know the lower back pain you feel from wearing so much gear. Our brothers and sisters in arms, we have issues to address with the people inside, we don’t have problems with you. We’re not here to hurt you, we don’t want you to hurt us. Don’t shoot us. We are going to take two steps forward now. — Jason Hurd.” Below, against a red background, more text states, “In August 2008, Iraq Veterans Against the War led the largest demonstration at the Democratic National Convention. Because of his use of anti-war rhetoric, IVAW wanted to deliver their demands to then Senator Obama on the convention floor: 1. An immediate end to the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. 2. Effective medical care for all returning service members. 3. Reparations to the people of Iraq and Afghanistan. They were stopped by heavily armed police outside the convention center. After an extremely tense stand-off, with IVAW members marching within 25 feet of police lines, Jason Hurd’s speech on the bullhorn led multiple police officers to stand down, turn down their weapons, and abandon the police line. Eventually a member of Obama’s staff came outside to meet with veterans.”
