Tag: disobey orders

PORTLAND, OR – Calling President Trump’s deployment of Oregon National Guard troops to Portland a dangerous escalation of authoritarianism, District 4 City Councilor Mitch Green, himself a former member of the military, took to social media to encourage those troops to refuse the order.

“I want to remind you that your oath of service requires you to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, ” Green said. “That oath does not grant the president a right to your absolute obedience. You have not only the right, but the duty to disobey an unlawful order.”

Green cautioned that the troops assigned to Portland will have to make a difficult choice soon.

“Comply with deployment orders to occupy an American city or refuse those orders and face the consequences. But know that if you choose to refuse out of a higher sense of duty to the Constitution, that you won’t be alone,” Green promised. “There’s a group called About Face that offers support for service members who request peer or legal support when you make that choice,” he added. “Please know that there is a strong community of service members and veterans here to support you in the fight against fascism and I would encourage you to get in touch with them.”