Boston Is Not a Military Training Ground
On July 28th in Jamaica Plain, a heavily populated neighborhood of Boston, MA, a surprise military exercise took place involving a helicopter landing and a commando raid. As a resident of JP I cannot begin to express my outrage and shock that this could be thrust upon us. JP is a diverse, cultural, and politically progressive community and this is an affront to our security and dignity. The supreme irony of the event is that it took place at a shuttered school. It shines truth on the simple fact that we live in a society where the military is valued more than education.
The Office of Mayor Thomas Menino completely failed the public good by catering to this madness. What did the decision making process look like at the Mayor's office when this was approved? Did the Mayor's staff consider worst-case scenarios? Did they talk through what a potential helicopter crash would be like in a thickly settled neighborhood of Boston? Did they consider the potential impacts on members of the community who are veterans with PTSD? Are shenanigans like this meant to condition us toward a military presence in our communities?
The vaguely worded press release from the Mayor’s office was insufficient in informing the public in what was happening. However, it is clear that this was meant to be secret, due of course to the highly secret nature personal and tactics involved. So we are now suppose to be OK with the fact that there will be military training in our community.
People should be aware of what these exercises are training for, night raids, which according to the New York Times are taking place at the rate of 300 a month, in Afghanistan alone. Many Americans felt a quick hit of euphoria when a night raid reportedly killed Osama Bin Ladin earlier this year but we should remind ourselves that these night raids are the number one complaint by the Afghan population. They are an affront to civilian privacy, sense of security, and they generally enrage the population. With all the talk of protecting women from the Taliban in our war against terror we should think about the sense of terror felt by Afghan villagers when their “women-folk” are awoken out of bed and by a squad of heavily armed soldiers.
The “Joint federal military training exercises” that took place between July 26th and August 5th in Boston where training for U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). These forces “Core Activities” include “Direct Action”, “Psychological Operations”, and “Unconventional Warfare”.Fun stuff, especially if you’re familiar with US military tactics under the same headings in places like Southeast Asia or Central America.
Our great nation (which as you know, doesn’t tax the super rich or corporations) is currently engaged in a legislative battle royal over spending priorities. Meanwhile, the estimated price tag for our wars in the Middle East is $4 TRILLION. We close down schools in heavily populated urban areas and use the space for Special Forces raids while our unaccountable elected leaders pander behind close doors with the military industrial complex and use our communities as a commando training site. I find all of this obscene, and I know that there are many people who feel the same.
I have been moved enough to write this simple statement and I hope that it moves you to do a little something as well. We must say no to the continued militarization of our communities and seek better solutions for the local and global problems centered on equality, diversity, democracy, sustainability, and peace.
Brian O'Connell is a resident of Jamaica Plain.
