Across the country, U.S. military veterans are being arrested, injured, and criminalized for standing up against ICE raids, mass deportations, and the deployment of National Guard troops to American cities.

These veterans served their country in Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond. Now they’re being tackled, pepper-sprayed, and charged — simply for exercising the very rights they once risked their lives to defend.

Among them:

• Dana Briggs, a 70-year-old Air Force veteran, was knocked to the ground by federal agents at a protest outside an ICE facility in Illinois. He now faces felony assault charges.
• John Cerrone, a Marine veteran, was tackled and shot with rubber bullets. He says ICE agents mocked him while in custody.
• Daryn Herzberg, a Marine Corps veteran, was slammed face-first into the pavement in Oregon. He’s seeking damages for the injuries but faces no charges himself.
• Jay Carey, a 20-year Army veteran, was arrested in D.C. after burning a flag in protest of the militarization of cities.
• Dozens more — including veterans who are disabled, elderly, and immigrants themselves — have been arrested, detained, or intimidated... 

These veterans are not criminals. They are patriots acting in defense of democracy, human rights, and constitutional freedoms. Arresting them doesn’t protect the public — it dishonors their service and undermines everything they stood for in uniform.

We, the undersigned, demand that:

• All nonviolent federal charges be dropped against U.S. veterans arrested at ICE or National Guard protest actions
• The Department of Justice conduct a review of force used by federal agencies against veterans and other protesters
   

Our veterans should not be punished for speaking out — especially when they’re fighting to uphold the very Constitution they swore to defend.