[T]he 26-year-old New Brunswick resident is giving the $3,082 he owes the government directly to a nonprofit veterans group, a local soup kitchen and a bevy of other causes.
“I will not contribute to the government while it’s waging an illegal war,” Nelson said , standing at a weekly anti-war vigil in the borough.
With his act of civil disobedience, Nelson is joining thousands of other like-minded Americans who oppose the war so adamantly that they refuse to personally fund it.
For some of us in the peace movement, however, it is not only Congress that holds the power of the purse.
We believe it each individual’s right to say “not in my name and not with my money!” Some of us are willing to sacrifice security and comfort by refusing to pay for the war through our federal income taxes.
We are war tax resisters, and here are some of our stories.
Nelson, who works as a union organizer, considers what he is doing an act of civil disobedience.
He knows his decision could lead to penalties including fines or jail.
“It’s a serious act to violate the law,” he said.
“I respect the law and the tax system.
I’m not trying to evade taxes.
I’m just trying to minimize my complicity in what the government is doing.
I want my money to go where it can help.”
