In an effort to illuminate the true reality of the conflict in Iraq, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War engaged in a series of street theater actions around the Chicago area on Monday, June 18. Entitled, "Operation First Casualty" (OFC) because the first casualty of war is truth, this action was made up of reenactments which highlight various aspects of life in combat in Iraq. The action is treated like a military operation with participants in full military uniform, however, no weapons were used at any time. This was IVAW's fourth OFC. Click here for a slidehow of OFC Chicago by the Daily Herald. News Advisory for this event below.

NEWS ADVISORY: For Immediate Release: June 14, 2007 CONTACT: Tom Gradel, 773-561-1040 or 773-742-4996, tomgradel@gmail.com Adam Navarro-Lowery, 646.468.0455, adamnavarro@ivaw.org Iraq veterans to use street theater to show true reality of war Operation First Casualty aims to bring the story of the war to the American people CHICAGO, IL - In an effort to illuminate the true reality of the conflict in Iraq, members of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) will engage in a series of street theater actions around the Chicago area on Monday, June 18. Actual veterans of the conflict in Iraq will play the part of American service members – with reenactments that will highlight various aspects of life in combat in Iraq. The event will be treated like a military operation with participants in full military uniform, however, there will be no weapons used at any time. “We are calling Monday’s action Operation First Casualty because we believe that truth was the first casualty of this war. Our aim is to show the American public the truth of the US occupation in Iraq,” said Aaron Hughes, president of the Chicago IVAW chapter and one of the organizers of a previous March 19th OFC event in Washington, DC. “It is time for the American people to know the truth so they will act to bring the troops home now.” In actions staged around the city, local activist volunteers will act as civilians in realistic portrayals of actual interactions between U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians. The result will be a lot of shouting, commotion and tension on the busy streets of Chicago – giving the American public a taste of what Iraqis and U.S. troops deal with day in and day out. Participants hope that by giving the American public a sense of the ugly reality of the war they will then be inspired to act to end the war now. Where: Street theater actions at various downtown Chicago locations. When: 8:00 AM – 12 Noon, Monday, June 18. Immediately following the action, IVAW participants will hold a press conference at 12 noon in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, N. Wabash Ave & E Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL. Who: A squad of Iraq Veterans Against the War in desert fatigues and approximately 20 civilian volunteers.