IVAW member and U.S. Army Sergeant Travis Bishop is serving a one year prison sentence for refusing to deploy to Afghanistan because of his religious beliefs. Amnesty International has declared him a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned for his conscientious objection (CO) to participation in war. 

Travis began his career with the Army in 2004. He was deployed to Iraq from August 2006 to October 2007. According to his lawyer, he had doubts about taking part in military actions since then. In February 2009 when his unit was ordered to deploy to Afghanistan, Travis was convinced that he could no longer take part in war because of his moral and religious beliefs.

Travis went absent without leave (AWOL) for one week from the day his unit was deployed "because I didn't have time to prepare to file for CO status. So while AWOL I prepared a statement and filled out my application for CO." He then went back to Ft. Hood to turn himself in. "I never planned on staying AWOL," says Travis. The military assigned him to a platoon and told him to show up for work the next day. Despite having a pending CO application, the Army started pursuing criminal charges against Travis.

At his court martial, Travis was sentenced to one year's imprisonment for going AWOL, suspension of two-thirds of his salary and a bad conduct discharge. He is imprisoned in Bell County Jail in Texas. His lawyer has pledged to appeal against the conviction.

Your letters can help Travis' case. We are collecting letters to be used by Travis' lawyer. Please do not send letters to the military commanders at Ft. Hood, but forward your letters addressed to the commanders to: IVAW National Office, 630 9th Avenue, Suite 807, New York, NY 10036.

Address letters to:
Lieutenant General Rick Lynch
Commanding General
III Corps HQ
1001 761st Tank Battalion Ave.
Bldg. 1001, Room W105
Fort Hood, TX 76544-5005

Colonel James H. Jenkins III
Headquarters, 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade
Building 10053, Battalion Avenue
Fort Hood, TX 76544-5068

Your letter can include the following points:
1) Travis has been unjustly imprisoned for his religious beliefs and conscientious objection to war, which is his legal and human right as recognized under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the U.S.A. has ratified.
2) Although Travis went AWOL, he did so to complete his application for conscientious objection status and seek legal advice, thereafter returning to his unit to submit the application.
3) Urge Travis to be released immediately and unconditionally.

Thank you for taking action to support Travis Bishop.

Thanks, Bryan
Amadee