Soldier files motion to stop her ouster
by Karen Abbott
Denver Rocky Mountain News
May 20, 2000
A Fort Carson soldier who objects to anthrax vaccination shots
filed an emergency motion in a federal appeals court Friday to
stop Army proceedings to discharge her other than honorably.
The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had not ruled on the
motion by the close of the business day. U.S. Attorney Tom
Strickland, whose job includes defending the Army, said his staff
will oppose the motion.
On Thursday, Pfc. Jemekia Barber sued the Army in Denver's
federal court, seeking an honorable discharge. She also sought a
restraining order to stop the other-than-honorable discharge
proceedings, but U.S. District Judge Edward Nottingham refused
that request.
Barber's lawsuit said she fears the anthrax vaccine the U.S.
military has ordered for all troops will make her sterile or harm
her future unborn children.
The emergency motion filed Friday said Barber was harassed and
threatened with arrest when she returned to Fort Carson, south of
Colorado Springs, after filing the lawsuit.