With a marked increase of the amount of Uranium munitions used in Iraq since 1991, the number of disabled veterans experiencing symptoms like Tim Coil’s are sharply growing. According to a March 8, 2007 New York Times article, veterans’ disability claims from 2006 alone numbered 378,296. Claims from returning war veterans plus those from previous periods reportedly increased by 39 percent from 2000 to 2006. In addition, the VA expects to receive about 800,000 new claims in both 2007 and again in 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/09/washington/09veterans.html
Thus, upon learning his background and medical and physical condition today, there are understandably many good reasons for Tim Coil’s desire to protect a young man from the military that March day inside the library.
Tim is neither ashamed nor timid about his beliefs and recently stood firm when an offer was made to prevent Coils from having to present his case in court. On May 10, Yvette Coil’s attorney was advised by the Court that the state would drop charges if they would pay $100 in court fees. The Coils were unwilling to pay this fee on principle, as they believe that Tim was arrested unjustly and that their right to freedom of speech had been violated. Instead, if the court should find him guilty, Tim faces a 30-day jail prison term which would be deleterious to his mental status, as well as incur fines that could amount to hundreds of dollars.
Tim has received no disability funding from his honorable military service. He relies on Social Security Disability payments to support his family of four. When I asked how others could assist Tim and his family, both Tim and Yvette chimed in unison, “prayers”.
In addition to prayers, the Coils also require financial assistance to pay their attorney’s fee and court costs. So far $1750 has been donated for fees that will run in excess of $5,000. The Coils ask that you please send donations to: Tim and Yvette Coil, PO Box 732, Hudson, Ohio 44236
The court case is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5 at 8:30 a.m. at the Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court, Second floor, 310 2nd St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. Residents of Ohio who believe Tim Coil’s rights were violated are welcome to come and show their support.
Details of discussions concerning the counter-recruiting messages written on index cards to the young man, ensuing conversations between the library manager and the police, as well as other details of the event are well-documented in “The Progressive” at http://www.progressive.org/mag_mc051407 . Yvette Coil’s story, told in her own words can be read at: http://www.motherspeak.org/articles/coils.php .
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).