Suzanne Swift's mother coming to Tacoma

Urgent message from The Tahoma Activist Calendar

Suzanne Swift, the female soldier who went AWOL to escape relentless sexual harrassment from her superior officers, has been charged and is facing court martial. Her mother, Sara Rich, will be in Tacoma this weekend to speak about her daughter's experience. This is the text of a message I received from Marilyn Kimmerling of the Progressive Roundtable:

Sara Rich, Suzanne Swift's mother, will speak in First United Methodist's 'Peace Conversations' class

When: Sunday, Oct 8, 10:45 AM

Where: 209 S. 'J' St., Tacoma (corner of Division). This is FUMC's interim space, and is the education wing of First Congregational Church. The class is held downstairs. Signs will be posted.

Background: Spc. Swift, facing a redeployment to Iraq while serving under the command of the same individuals that allowed her to be raped and sexual harassed, suffered a breakdown due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and went absent without leave rather than subject herself to the horrors she experienced during her first tour of duty. Suzanne's mother Sara has just returned from Washington DC where she was advocating for her daughter in Congress. Suzanne has recently been charged with being AWOL and
refusing to obey an order; she is being held at Ft. Lewis.

Please join us and hear this important story. Join with others all over the country who are supporting Suzanne.

For more information:


Susan Dobkins
Director, The Micah Project
First United Methodist Church/FIRST Center
209 S. "J" St.
Tacoma WA 98405
253-973-7080 cell
253-627-0129 office

'What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?' Micah 6:8