by Jeff Paterson
Courage to Resist is deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and comrade Robert “Bob” Meola. Bob was well known throughout the San Francisco Bay Area for his lifelong commitment to anti-militarism efforts.
Bob delighted in listening to–and resembling–Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead, attending Giants baseball games on cold San Francisco nights, enjoying quality red wine, pizza and cannabis, the San Francisco opera, and being a stay-at-home dad, homeschooling Sofia in her early years.
He joined Courage to Resist in 2008 and rarely missed a meeting or event. From 2010 to 2017, Bob served on the Steering Committee of the Chelsea Manning Support Network, which successfully funded the legal defense for–and eventually won the release of–the imprisoned WikiLeaks whistleblower by way of clemency by President Obama.
Bob Meola reads a statement for International Conscientious Objectors’ Day, May 15, 2021.
For years, Bob served as a War Resisters League (WRL) National Committee Member, and the public contact for WRL-West. In 2009, he played a key role in the adoption by WRL of its current position statement in support of all forms of resistance to conscription and militarism. Bob was a founder of Southern California War Resisters’ League and Southern California War Tax Resistance.
He was well known locally for his 16 years on the City of Berkeley’s Peace and Justice Commission, serving as chairperson from 2008 to 2010. After helping pass a city resolution against military recruiting in 2008 that garnered national attention, he appeared on the “Daily Show with Jon Stewart”–something strangers on the street would recognize him for years later, which he found amusing.
On the Commission, Bob championed many human rights issues, police accountability, support for whistleblowers, the closure of Guantanamo Bay prison camp, and for Berkeley to become a “No Drone Zone.” One of the last events he was able to attend in person was a rally for Julian Assange of WikiLeaks who faces extradition to the US for publishing classified documents pertaining to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rest in Power, Brother.
You stood shoulder-to-shoulder, steadfast and determined, with all those who fought for a world in balance and at peace, powered by love.
You are missed.
Rest in Power, Brother.
You’re relentless fight for peace and justice inspires and instructs.
Bob displayed the same insouciance that I found in the second world war C.o.’s that mentored me and supported me in my C.O. stand and understanding of anarcho-pacifism. I’m going over Joe Hill’s last words as I mourn another good comrade. -Britt Peter