Pfc. LaVena Johnson » Activism

LaVena PDF handout updated

Philip Barron — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 19:52:21 +0000

The one-page color handout on LaVena Johnson so kindly created by Kriss Avery of the Gateway Green Alliance in St. Louis has been updated to reflect the current petition to Rep. Henry Waxman and the House Oversight Committee which he chairs. The link has been updated in previously published entries mentioning the handout. The document is available for anyone who wants to help spread the word about LaVena and the effort to prompt a new investigation of her death in Iraq. Thank you!

Press release from ColorofChange.org

Philip Barron — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:14:18 +0000

This week, advocacy group ColorofChange.org sent out a press release regarding LaVena Johnson and the petition to Rep Henry Waxman to a number of media and activist organizations. Readers here are encouraged to copy and send the text below to such news outlets and other parties which may be interested. As of yesterday, the petition’s signature count stood at 53,134 names.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

50,000 sign ColorOfChange.org Petition for Hearing into LaVena Johnson’s Death
Womens’ and veterans’ groups join campaign to urge US Rep. Henry Waxman to lead Congressional investigation into potential US Army coverup of rape-murders

Oakland, CA

Danielle Vyas calls for justice

Philip Barron — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:58:43 +0000

Danielle Vyas, an activist and the author of ModernMusings.com, first learned of the story of LaVena Johnson via Electronic Village and immediately set about spreading the word. She submitted the story to the Care2 network of activists and added it to stumble, and digg, casting for the widest audience possible. After learning of the original petition to the two Armed Services Committees calling for a renewed investigation of LaVena’s death, Vyas decided to take similar direct action. She launched a petition of her own – her very first – based at the Care2 petition site. Addressed to both houses of Congress and President Bush, the petition calls for a re-investigation of the LaVena Johnson case and full disclosure. Below, the text of the petition appeal:

We the undersigned, urge you to reopen an investigation on the death of Ms. LaVena Johnson. Ms. Johnson, a 19 year old private stationed in Iraq died in July of 2005. Upon her death, the army declared that Ms. Johnson’s death was self inflicted.

Due to the dedicated investigation of Dr. J. Johnson, further evidence has been found from the autopsy of Ms. Johnson’s body and from the barracks where her body was found.

This evidence includes a blood trail leading toward where her body was found, signs that a perpetrator attempted to burn both the barracks and her body, signs of physical struggle in the form of two loose front teeth as well as a bruised lip which had to be reconstructed by the funeral home which attended to her body.

When Dr. J. Johnson presented this new evidence the response he received from the military is that the case is closed.

We urge you, in the name of democracy, in the name of justice, in the name of civic honor to reopen the investigation of Ms. Johnson’s death and fully disclose all findings.

Ms. Johnson was an honor roll student, who straight from high school enlisted herself voluntarily into the army. If her sacrifice is to be honored in action, her death must be thoroughly investigated and if it is found that Ms. Johnson was murdered that the perpetrator be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Rebuilding the morale of our military, of our citizens and our country demands real answers.

We thank you, in advance, for your focused consideration and commitment to justice.

Dyas has set an original goal of 1,000 signatures for the effort, but that target was so swiftly reached that she revised the goal upwards to 3,000 names. Again, that goal has been exceeded; as of this writing, the number of signatories to the Vyas petition stands at 3,197.

The goal more than achieved, Vyas is now arranging a meeting with Rep. Shelley Berkley in which the petition will be presented. She calls for concerned citizens to sign the ColorofChange-sponsored petition to Rep. Henry Waxman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

Note: A few words from Danielle Vyas herself!

I found out about the tragedy surrounding the death of Private Ms. LaVena Johnson for the first time from my good friend and fellow net activist Wayne Hicks of the Electronic Village. I was outraged at the military deeming Ms. Johnson’s death a suicide when there was so much physical evidence to the contrary. Broken teeth, bruised lips, blood trails, evidence of arson and even rape warrants an in depth investigation surrounding the loss of potential that 19 year old LaVena undeniably had to offer the world.

I, immediately, began researching deeper and came upon Philip Barron’s independent efforts toward achieving accountable justice for Ms. Johnson and noted that his successful petition had closed. Putting two and two together, with an increase of attention given to Ms. Johnson’s death and no active petition at that time decided to write and promote my first petition. I had to turn my outrage into action.

Many of us on the internet and blogging have gathered “friends” in various social networks. I decided to take advantage of my connections to both share Ms. Johnson’s case and the petition. Thanks to others who used the power of their voice, we met the first goal of 1000 signatures in a few weeks. I then increased the goal due to the great response to 3000 signatures.

Last week, we exceeded our goal of 3000 signatures and to date have 3,250 collected signatures. I instantly thought what next, how will I use the power of over 3000 people and have decided to arrange a meeting with my Representative Shelley Berkley of Nevada and hand deliver the signatures along with a small crew of local activists. When the meeting occurs we will be recording the event and will spread it virally through the internet.

Gabriel Rey- Goodlate of the organization Color of Change caught the increased buzz surrounding the Justice for LaVena Johnson campaign and started their own campaign sending out an email to their members and have gathered over 50,000 signatures.

This has been an amazing personal journey. I have learned without a doubt that we must turn our outrage into action. I am not a professional activist. I have never made a petition before and have never even met my Representative in person. If I am able to do it, anyone can.

Ms. LaVena Johnson deserves to be honored with a reinvestigation into the circumstances of her death which is the ultimate goal.

I sincerely thank Philip Barron, Wayne Hicks, Gabriel Rey- Goodlate and everyone who signed and forwarded the petition and to those who spread the campaign to their audiences.

Danielle Vyas
ModernMusings.com

LaVena in song, art, and verse

Philip Barron — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 05:48:09 +0000

As the story of LaVena Johnson makes itself more widely known, many people have registered their concern and outrage through political action, through letters to media sources, through writing and blogging and discussing the story with friends and family. For some, activism has taken the form of creative expression. Correspondent Luke Easter who publishes poetry at his website, LyricsByLucas.com, submitted here the following memorial to LaVena:

Just when you think you’ve heard it all,
Another name is slammed into a brick wall,
LaVena Johnson an Army Private First Class,
Is she the first? Certainly this PFC isn’t the last.

Is it any wonder Osama Bin Laden can’t be found?
With murders and rapists in camp running around,
Destroying evidence, burning bodies, again & again,
Calling themselves soldiers, claiming they are men.

What a shame when the real enemy is on the same side,
Behind the color of camaraderie these cowards hide,
Punched in the face, loose teeth, she was only 5 feet 1,
The Army claims its suicide, that’s all, over and done.

So, how did that chemical burn get on her private parts?
Oh yeah, maybe a tattoo, some kind of new wave art,
Why would someone waste time getting rid of DNA?
Just maybe without detection they’re free to get away.

The U.S. Army actually tried lying, hooray for her dad,
He gave that crap the smell test and oh did it smell bad,
7/19/05 her dead body found in a contractor’s tent, HBR,
Broken nose, black eye, shot in the head and body scars.

Military personnel or civilians aren’twe on the same side?
Who is the American Government protecting, why that lie?
Had to be someone with pull to get her alone, you’d think,
I don’t have to be standing next to skunk to know it stinks.

Where’s Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, the infamous NAACP?
She could not have been more violated, do you not agree?
A 19-year-old honor student should be shown more respect,
But, this is how she’s being treated. Hey! What the heck?

Can’t call it racial because all women are treated the same,
Even academies and bases in the states there is this claim,
We are truly near the end of days soon God will work it out,
Vengeance will certainly be more than a punch in the mouth.

Musician and designer Paul Gunby has composed and recorded a song titled “Why LaVena,” accompanied by an illustration of Pfc. Johnson. He offers this work freely as a memorial and a signature of support. Please visit Mr. Gunby’s site to listen to the song and view the illustration and lyrics.

Most recently, David Lester Young expresses his feelings in a poem left here in comments on a recent post:

Private in the U.S. Army serving in Iraq upon duty,
Body burned by someone from her own military base.
Nineteen year old minor in service for her nation,
Never to reach 21, where one becomes this full adult.

Another body bag they claimed committed suicide
With trauma mark bruises, ‘n abrasions ‘n broken teeth
Closing the case like a coffin door hidden from view,
Flag covered miscarriage of Military Tribunal Justice.

This Angel was a segregated casualty of a poor family
Congress inept to investigate deaths labeled suicides
Walking Wounded parents in dislocated shoulder coverups
Military having Blackwater unchallenged reign raping minors.

Where is the DoD sexual assault prevention programs?
Where is the accountability to those soldiers parents?
Had the victim been an officer they would have responded,
Bringing everything to bear for the honor of class distinction.

The shame of the DoD denying Congress senior civilian in
Charge of Sexual Assault Prevention to testify in there contempt
Of Congress’s role to make our Military accountable to
“We the people” whose children are serving those Bush’s Wars.

If it was one of Bush’s daughters, who were serving over there,
There would be a furry of political action in Conservative righteousness.
But you see Private LaVena Johnson is from the wrong side of the tracks
That was told their daughter committed suicide with bruises and contusions.

Meaning no disrespect to her remains, she needs to have another autopsy
And if the report, say rape and murder, then a Federal lawsuit for defamation
Of character should be filled against those who signed and knew of the coverup
That they be drummed out of the service as traitors to their fellow soldiers
Even if they are not Bush DoD officers.
So Veterans, Walking Wounded, and Veteran family members
Petition for respect the memory of Private LaVena Johnson
That if interned they are returned with a Full Honor Guard gun salute

LaVena PDF handout available

Philip Barron — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:22:00 +0000

Kriss Avery of the Gateway Green Alliance in St. Louis created a one-page handout for use by Dr. John Johnson when he spoke at this year

MySpace write-up on Lavena; credit for connection to ColorofChange

Philip Barron — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:02:00 +0000

Kim Brummell, an Army veteran and member of the North Carolina American Civil Liberties Union, has written about PFC LaVena Johnson in a post titled “Deadly Wall of Silence.”

How will cases like this affect women signing up for the service and staying in the military? How will it affect the respect citizens have for our soldiers? How could we trust the military to help secure this nation when we may have cold-blooded murderers in a uniform wearing a U.S. flag? I got nothing but love for the military. The service taught me a lot. On the contrary, an injustice anywhere is an injustice everywhere. Where can you run and hide when your allies become your enemies?

Thanks much to Kim for her perspective as a former soldier and for her expression of concern for the service, for women in uniform, and for the Johnson family.

I also want to thank two people who – through separate efforts at the same time – brought the LaVena effort to the attention of ColorofChange.org. Activist Danielle Vyas contacted the advocacy group even as she launched her own Care2-based petition to Congress and the President. Gemina13, a DailyKos blogger, wrote a diary there about LaVena and also contacted ColorofChange. Their efforts helped to bring about the ColorofChange-sponsored petition to Representative Henry Waxman and the House Oversight Committee which he chairs. Thanks again, very much, to both Danielle and Gemina13.

New LaVena petition to Congress and the President

Philip Barron — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:23:00 +0000

As you will recall, the original LaVena Johnson petition to the Armed Services Committees of the House and the Senate – asking those bodies to compel the Army to reopen the investigation of LaVena’s death in Iraq – closed on May 23. I’m currently arranging with an organization for delivery of the petition to the legislators on those committees.

For the many people who have recently heard of LaVena’s story and are looking for ways to help, activist Danielle Vyas has launched a new and separate petition effort on the Care2 network (also noted by Bruce Combs in comments). The Justice for LaVena Johnson petition is addressed to both houses of Congress and President Bush. Danielle’s goal is one thousand signatures; after a full day, the count currently stands at 108.

I am very grateful to Danielle for sponsoring this new petition. I’ll add my own name to the list today. This effort belongs to no single person; the more voices that can be raised in support of the Johnson family, the better.

Foundation matters re: LaVena

Philip Barron — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:41:00 +0000

A couple of kind folks asked in correspondence if there was a fund or foundation related to the Johnsons and their fight to reopen the investigation of daughter LaVena’s death in Iraq. LaVena’s father, Dr. John Johnson, informed me yesterday that there are plans in the works for just such an organization. The working title is The LaVena Lynn Johnson Legal Foundation. The purpose will be broader than just LaVena’s case; the foundation will bring attention to other women in the military, women who have been sexually assaulted.

Dr. Johnson and some others are working on the bylaws of the organization, on a purpose/mission statement, on projected budgetary matters. Donations will be welcome when things get to that point. It’s early in the process and there will be more news to come. I will certainly post developments on the LaVena website, and perhaps here as well. If you haven’t done so already, you may want to bookmark the LaVena site or (even better) subscribe to the site’s RSS feed so you don’t miss any announcements. Thanks.

A reminder…

Philip Barron — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:44:00 +0000

Even though the petition to the Armed Services Committees of the Senate and the House closed on May 24, constituents of the members of the two committees can still lend their voices to the effort to prompt a new investigation of LaVena’s death by contacting those legislators directly. Reprised below is contact information for those legislators: links to their contact pages, and pop-up links to their numbers and addresses. If any of the information provided is out of date, please reach me via the contact page, and I’ll correct it. Thanks.

Thanks to an Obama supporter, and a question about Hillary Clinton

Philip Barron — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:37:00 +0000

It is a pleasure to note that The Barack Obama Report - a campaign blog independent of the senator’s official presidential effort – has written about LaVena Johnson. The post, the concern it evinces for soldiers and their families, and the attention it will bring to LaVena’s story, are all greatly appreciated.

However, the blog post does bring a question to mind regarding another presidential contender: Senator Hillary Clinton.

A convergence of circumstances places the junior senator from New York in a unique position. She is one of the most prominent members of the majority party in Congress. She is the leading Democratic presidential contender. She is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee – one of the two legislative bodies to which the LaVena Johnson petition is addressed. These factors make for a compelling argument that Senator Clinton should bring her support to the Johnson family and its efforts to launch a new investigation of the circumstances surrounding LaVena’s death in Iraq.

Of all the presidential candidates, Democratic or Republican, only Senator Clinton is in an official position – right now – to bring influence to bear on the Army. Even in purely political terms, the opportunity to demonstrate support for military families and their loved ones in service should be clear to all.

It is to be hoped that the senator from New York has sufficient concern for soldiers that she will lend the Johnsons her support in the name of all service families who have given so much, and whose search for the truth about their daughters, sons, fathers, and mothers is too often lost in the fog of war.

Constituents of Hillary Clinton who share this hope are invited to express their feelings to the senator herself by way of email, or via the addresses (district office recommended) or phone or fax numbers below:

District office
780 Third Ave
Suite 2601
New York, NY 10017
Phone (212) 688-6262
Fax (212) 688-7444

D.C. office
United States Senate
476 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone (202) 224-4451
Fax (202) 228-0282