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Families Protest Deployment Of NJ's National Guard

'Military Families Speak Out' Petition For Defederalization Of The Guard

NEWARK (CBS) ― Half of New Jersey's National Guard troops are preparing to deploy to Iraq in a few months. But a small army hit the streets of Newark to try to keep them home on Monday, with protest leaders insisting the Garden State's governor reconsider.

Paula Rogovin is one of the mothers circulating a petition asking Governor Corzine not to send 3,000 New Jersey troops to Iraq in June. Her son just returned from the war-ravaged region, and her efforts are now directed at preventing other mothers from going through what she's already experienced.

"When I rounded the corner to get to my house I would look to see if there was a Marine van because that's how they tell you your son or daughter has been killed," said Rogovin, a member of "Military Families Speak Out."

Several groups kicked off Monday's petition drive at Military Park in Newark. The National Guard normally takes care of state and national emergencies, but in 2002 the Federal Government was authorized to call up the State National Guard for duty in Iraq. Some parents who signed the petitions say it's enough.

"We don't need anymore soldiers over there, my son just came back and he's been over there twice," said Elizabeth Edwards.

The National Guard Troops have undergone 9 weeks of basic combat training and several months of advanced training, but many of them sign up for college money and protestors say they're not always prepared for war.

"Their casualties are higher and also when they come back they find the suicide rate is much higher among them," said Terri Suess of "New Jersey Peace Action."

Jonathan Bellamy was born and raised in Newark, and says with all the gang violence, his city can't afford to risk losing so many quality men and women.

"We need some role models for our youth and they're sending all our role models over there and who's to say even half of them will make it back," said Bellamy.

The petition drive organizers say they love and support the troops, and that's why they want them home.

Despite the public outcry, Governor Corzine's office says he has no authority to rescind the federal order to send the National Guard troops to Iraq.

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