Zahid Chaudhry had been unanimously elected President three years in a row for Veterans For Peace, Rachel Corrie Chapter 109 in Olympia, Washington. Each year, due to health issues, he respectfully declined. However in 2012, after giving a death bed promise to former long-term VFP109 President, Duane King, Zahid has fulfilled his promise for the nearly last ten years as President VFP109.
At the 2014 rally and above photo, many other Veterans For Peace members from north and south of Seattle, in Seattle, and Olympia came to support Zahid for one of many Immigration Court hearings.
Zahid served in the US Army military for Operation Iraqi Freedom (“OIF”) and was twice “Honorably” discharged with service-related injuries & severe health issues that curtailed any further military career. As has been the norm since the beginning of this country (USA) & including Presidential Executive Order 13269, expedited naturalization has been expedited for non-citizens who serve in any active-duty status in the US Armed Forces. Having initiated his naturalization while still on active duty, and having faithfully served the US Armed Forces, contrary to this expedited Executive Order (let alone the “norm since beginning of this country”), Zahid now faces deportation. Is this what happens to Veterans For Peace members?
Zahid has strongly stood out for peace and social justice, and has served the local area chapters of Veterans for Peace with dignity, honor, camaraderie and with an eye to justice to the best of his physical and medical capabilities.
This country shows dishonor and disrespect to the service Zahid has given, and responds by putting Zahid into deportation proceedings. Is this what happens to people who prefer a world at peace & have a long history of working for peace & justice?
See related: Deported Veterans
and then 