Jeff Norman

Von-T Demands Justice

Strive to be a warrior and a scholar. Be forged by fire and tempered by knowledge."—Thucydides After he refused to comply with vague and seemingly unlawful orders to remove his music videos from social media, the U.S. Army captain known to his fans as Von-T was convicted of violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice and deprived of needed medical services. In response, a petition is now calling for Congress to pass legislation guaranteeing a safe space in the military for service members to express their grievances when they think their rights have been violated. It's part of Operation Hellfighter, a campaign named in honor of James Reese Europe. Europe's musical ensemble, as well as his fellow African-American soldiers who served in France during World War I, were called the Harlem Hellfighters. Europe overcame cruel resistance and was eventually recognized internationally as an innovative bandleader, arranger and composer. Over 100 years later, Von-T is encountering the same sort of harassment Europe endured when his proto-jazz music was denounced as immoral.