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Statements about War and Terrorism
(updated January 24, 2002)
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| Foreign
Policy In Focus Sign-on Statement |
America needs a new agenda for combating terrorism--one that
secures us against terrorist attacks and that integrates the use
of force within an international legal and policy framework. This
agenda must bring international terrorists to justice, debilitate
their capacity to wage terrorism, and undermine the political
credibility of terrorist networks by addressing related political
grievances and injustices.
Foreign Policy In Focus--an international network of foreign policy
experts--is presenting such an agenda to the policy community
and to the public as a new framework for combating terrorism and
protecting our security. We urge you to indicate your support
for this reform agenda either as an organization or individual.
We will present this New Agenda to Combat Terrorism to the media
and policymakers, along with the individual and institutional
expressions of support.
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| 9-11 Emergency
National Network |
This page contains a petition put together and
being circulated by the 9-11 Emergency National Network. We urge
you to take other action as you can to focus attention on the
massive humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
Write to the 9-11 Emergency National Network at <refugeecrisis@igc.org>,
or fax to 973-338-2210.
Another sponsoring organization of this petition
is IPPN; their
site is accepting online additions to the petition list.
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| Academic
Freedom |
The following statement in defense
of academic freedom is being circulated by concerned faculty members.
If you would like to endorse the statement, please send your name,
academic position and affiliation, and contact information to academicfreedomnow@hotmail.com.
Non-academic endorsers are also welcome.
Please contact the email address above if you have any questions
or comments. |
| ACLU |
The American Civil Liberties Union's
statement condemning President Bush's executive order allowing special
military tribunals to try non-citizens charged with terrorism.
You can read more and send a FREE FAX, asking your Members of Congress
to hold hearings to question the administration's new policies at:
http://www.aclu.org/action/dueprocess107.html
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| American Muslims |
Fifteen Muslim-American organizations
have formulated a statement urging peace and legal pursuits in lieu
of the current bombing tactics.
Statement: http://islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=IC0110-355
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| "Call
for Peace and Justice" Statement |
More than 205,000 signatures appeared
on a "Call for Peace and Justice" statement on the web.
The petition advocates peace and justice--not revenge-and emphasizes
the defense of civil liberties in the U.S., protection of human
rights at home and abroad, and calls for a thorough investigation
before any retaliation. [www.ThePetitionSite.Com] |
| Coalition
of U.S.-based Groups |
A diverse coalition of 48 humanitarian,
religious, human rights, and civil liberties organizations today
released a set of recommendations for responding to the September
11th attacks. The groups stressed the importance of abiding by human
rights and humanitarian law in acting to bring the perpetrators
to justice and preventing future attacks.
Groups making the recommendations include: the Alliance for Justice,
Amnesty International USA, CARE, Center for Reproductive Law and
Policy, Doctors of the World-USA, Human Rights Watch, Lawyers Committee
for Human Rights, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Muslim
Public Affairs Council, National Council of Churches, Open Society
Institute, Oxfam America, Physicians for Human Rights, Refugees
International, Save the Children/U.S., Union of American Hebrew
Congregations, and the U.S. Committee for Refugees. The full statement
and a complete list of signers is available through the link to
the left. |
| Concerned
Faculty and Staff for Peace in Afghanistan |
This Peace Statement was written and
circulated by faculty at the University of Mass./Amherst and the
other four colleges in the area. |
| Congressman
John Conyers, Jr. |
Congressman John Conyers, Jr., Ranking
Member of the House Judiciary Committee joined other Democratic
members of the House Judiciary Committee to address the recent actions
taken by the administration regarding Military Tribunals and other
anti-terrorism acts. |
| Cornell Forum
for Justice and Peace |
The following is one of the most comprehensive
and intelligent statements addressing 9-11 and its aftermath. It
was written by the Cornell Forum for Justice and Peace. Please read
and circulate it. |
| Faith-based
Response |
More than 1,500 religious leaders--and
growing--have purchased a full-page ad in the New York Times
calling for a just, humane response. This faith-based response noted:
"Let us make the right choices in this crisis--to pray, act,
and unite against the bitter fruits of division, hatred, and violence.
Let us rededicate ourselves to global peace, human dignity, and
the eradication of injustice that breeds rage and vengeance." |
| Friends Committee
on National Legislation |
The Friends Committee on National Legislation,
which has taken the lead in distributing statements from more than
twenty, mostly religious, groups to the U.S. Congress, made this
statement: "Many in the administration and Congress have declared
that a state of war now exists. We are concerned that these public
statements may be stirring the popular will and expectation for
war. We wonder: War against whom? Cooler heads must prevail in the
U.S. government during this time of crisis. War will only compound
the tremendous assault on humanity that has already occurred. War
is not the answer. The people who committed these acts struck with
hatred. They saw the people in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon,
and the aircraft as faceless enemies. They denied the humanity of
their victims. The U.S. must not commit the same sin by compounding
the hatred, violence, and injustice of these attacks with its own
acts of terror and war against another people, most of whom are
innocent of these crimes." |
| Global Exchange |
Global Exchange is a nonprofit research,
education, and action center dedicated to promoting people-to-people
ties around the world. Since our founding in 1988, we have been
striving to increase global awareness among the US public while
building international partnerships around the world. |
| In Defense
of Freedom |
At a press conference at the National
Press Club in Washington, more than 150 organizations, 300 law professors,
and 40 computer scientists issued a 10-point declaration "In
Defense of Freedom." The statement ended by saying: "We
must have faith in our democratic system and in our ability to protect
at the same time both the freedom and security of all Americans."
This unusual alliance of groups brought together, in the name of
civil liberties, such diverse groups as the American Conservative
Union, Common Cause, ACLU, Women's International League for Peace
and Freedom, Americans for Competitive Technology, and Citizens
Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. |
Petition
(9-11 Peace.Org, Action for Justice Not War) |
This petition stresses that any response should
be within the framework of international law and emphasizes that
international judicial institutions and international human rights
law are the appropriate instruments to bring to justice those
responsible for the attacks--rather than the instruments of war.
After nearly 700,000 signatures, making it one of the largest
online petitions of all time, it was delivered to leaders around
the world and translated into over 20 languages.
In early October, the people at 9-11peace.org
delivered over half a million online signatures from 190 countries
generated by the original
petition to:
U.S. President Bush; NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson;
European Commission President Romano Prodi. In Great Britain,
MP Lynne Jones and three other Members of Parliament delivered
the petition by hand to Prime Minister Tony Blair. Media around
the world wrote about our effort, from the Chicago Sun-Times
to the South China Morning Post.
Based on the impending humanitarian disaster,
the group has established a new
petition.
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| Islamic Groups
|
Many Islamic groups have also expressed
concern. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, for example,
states: "May we all stand together through these difficult
times to promote peace and love over violence and hate." |
| Jewish Voices
Against the Occupation |
Jewish Voices Against the Occupation
was initiated by four Jewish residents of California who feel that
something needs to be done in the face of the rapidly deteriorating
situation in the Palestinian territories. Although they represent
no one but themselves, they have all been active on peace and justice
issues. Among the organizations with which they have worked are
Friends of Yesh Gvul, the International Jewish Peace Union, Coalition
of Jews for Justice in Israel, and Palestine and Jewish Voice for
Peace. Their objective is to run a full-page ad in the New York
Times calling for an end to the occupation. |
| Just Response |
JustResponse.org,
a project of the Fourth Freedom Foundation, calls for an effective
response that follows the law, works cooperatively with other nations
through the United Nations, and that refrains from unilateral or
excessive military force. |
| "Justice
Not Vengeance" statement |
National Public Radio on September
20 reported on the "Justice Not Vengeance" statement signed
by 120 prominent businesspersons, religious leaders, civil society
leaders, entertainers including Harry Belafonte, Ben Cohen, Danny
Glover, Rosa Parks, Gloria Steinem, Martin Sheen, and Edward Said.
They told U.S. policymakers and the administration: "Our best
chance for preventing such devastating acts of terror is to act
decisively and cooperatively as part of a community of nations within
the framework of international law to root out terrorism and work
for justice at home and abroad."
NPR broadcast: http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/atc/20010919.atc.14.ram
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| Justice Not War |
A coalition of Peace advocates, the
purpose of JusticeNotWar
is to incite individual and collaborative thought that will have
a positive impact on our relations with the rest of the world, and
consequently our liberty, happiness, and freedom. |
| Maquiladora
Health & Safety Support Network |
The "Maquiladora
Health & Safety Support Network" is a volunteer network
of over 400 occupational health and safety professionals who have
placed their names on a resource list to provide information, technical
assistance, and on-site instruction regarding workplace hazards
in the over 3,200 "maquiladora" (foreign-owned assembly)
plants along the U.S.-Mexico border. Network members, including
industrial hygienists, occupational physicians and nurses, and health
educators among others, are donating their time and expertise to
create safer and healthier working conditions for the over 1.2 million
maquiladora workers employed by primarily U.S.-owned transnational
corporations along Mexico's northern border from Matamoros to Tijuana. |
| NETWORK |
A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
The most up-to-date list of signers can be found here:
http://www.sojo.net/news/index.cfm/action/display_archives/
mode/current_opinion/article/CO_091201.html
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| New York City
Labor |
To sign the following statement, please
email name, union affiliation/position, and location to <letwin@alaa.org>
or <LaborAgainstWar@yahoogroups.com>,
or fax this signature page to 212.343.0966. All affiliations and
titles listed for identification only (unless otherwise noted).
Latest list of signers can be downloaded from http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LaborAgainstWar/files/. |
| Pax Christi USA |
Pax Christi is a section of Pax Christi
International, the Catholic peace movement. |
| Peace Action |
Peace Action is the nation's largest
grassroots peace and disarmament organization. We are committed
to:
- the abolition of nuclear weapons
- redirection of excessive Pentagon spending
to domestic investment
- an end to global weapon sales
- non-military resolutions to international conflicts
We are a membership organization of volunteers
and dedicated staff working at local, state, national, and international
levels.
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| PeaceResponse.org |
PeaceResponse.org (at www.Peaceresponse.org)
is a coalition made of of these organizations: AFSC, Fellowship
of Reconciliation (FOR), National Coordinating Committee of the
Greens/Green Party USA, Pax Christi, Peace Action,War Resisters
League, Women's Action for New Directions, Women's International
League for Peace and Freedom. They advocate six points of unity. |
| Persian Watch
Center |
The Persian Watch Center (PWC, www.antidiscrimination.org)
is currently hosting this petition, which has obtained a wide range
of support by many non-political Iranian American as well as many
civil liberties and student groups and organizations. |
| Physicians for
Social Responsibility |
Physicians for Social Responsibility represents
more than 20,000 physicians, nurses, and health care professionals
devoted to nuclear disarmament, violence prevention, and environmental
health.
(now includes link to sign-on statement)
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| Pledge for
Peace |
International A.N.S.W.E.R. is launching a campaign
to gather pledges from people all over the world who are pro-peace
and anti-war. We want to demonstrate to the powers that be that
there is a massive voice to stop war and end racism.
You can sign this pledge online at our Web site:
http://www.internationalanswer.org/pledge.html
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| Professors
For Peace Listserv |
"This group is for faculty and
allies organizing for peaceful solutions to international conflicts.
Established in the aftermath of the events of 9/11, we seek to respond
to the rhetoric of war with invocations of peace, justice, and humanity.
We believe the professoriate has a crucial (and neglected) role
to play in shaping public dialogue in today's United States."
Anyone is welcome to join the listserv if they are concerned about
alternatives to mainstream media representations, working with others
to prevent military action, and addressing domestic political and
legal repression. |
| Political
Research Associates |
Political Research Associates is an
independent, not-for-profit research center which monitors and analyzes
those organizations, leaders, ideas, and activities of the U.S.
political right that undermine democracy and diversity. |
| Seamless Garment
Network |
Statement on War in Afghanistan sent
to the Justice Not War site |
| Service Employees'
International Union |
A statement initiated by people in
SEIU. If you're interested in adding your name, reply to (with name
and organization--for ID purposes only) <inthdqintern01@uswa.org>.
They're hoping to have sign-ons in the next few days and the letter
may be distributed as a handbill or printed as an ad. |
| Sisters of Mercy
of the Americas |
Known for their sponsorship of nearly
200 healthcare facilities, 20 elementary and pre-schools, 39 secondary
schools, and 20 colleges and universities; the Sisters of Mercy
respond to the needs of the poor, especially women, in many ways
including development of affordable housing, social services, and
pastoral care. The Institute Direction Statement outlines the congregation's
current priorities. |
| Sojourners |
A progressive Christian magazine providing
alternative perspectives to the hawks both religious and governmental.
The magazine has created a special response page listing both statements
and informational articles. |
| Students
|
Initiated by students at Wesleyan University,
a coalition connecting over 120 campuses in 30 states sponsored
a national day of action on September 20 promoting "Peaceful
Justice." This first action has evolved into a national advocacy
group called Concerned Students for Justice without War. The student
coalition said, "We are hoping to stimulate a dialogue across
the United States about the necessity of protecting human life around
the world, the need for a reasoned and rational response to this
tragedy, and the importance of long-term solutions to problems of
injustice and violence." |
| Students |
Students at MIT and Caltech have formed
a transcontinental alliance in favor of a peaceful response to the
events of September 11. |
| Unitarian Universalist Service Committee |
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee supports the U. S. Statements of Opposition to War and Support for Just, Effective Solutions. |
| United Church
of Christ |
The United Church of Christ is a community
of faith that seeks to respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in
word and deed. The UCC was founded in 1957 as the union of several
different Christian traditions. The Justice and Witness Ministries
section of the church has formulated an open letter to the congregation
regarding the September 11 attacks. |
| U.S. Committee
for Refugees |
USCR defends the rights of all uprooted
people regardless of their nationality, race, religion, ideology,
or social group. We base our work on the belief that once the consciences
of men and women are aroused, great deeds can be accomplished, and
we are guided by the following principles:
- Refugees have basic human rights. Most fundamentally,
no persons with a well-founded fear of persecution should be
forcibly returned (refouled) to his or her homeland.
- Asylum seekers have the right to a fair and
impartial hearing to determine their refugee status.
- All uprooted victims of human conflict, regardless
of whether they cross a border, have the right to humane treatment,
as well as adequate protection and assistance.
|
| Veterans
for Peace, Inc. |
Veterans for Peace, Inc. (VFP) is a
nonprofit educational and humanitarian organization dedicated to
the abolishment of war. VFP was founded in 1985 by ex-service members
committed to sharing the horrors they experienced. Our membership
(which at the time of the Gulf War numbered 3,400) is comprised
of veterans from all wars spanning from The Spanish Civil War to
the Gulf War. These members are distributed amongst 86 nationwide
chapters, and dozens of international affiliations. |
| Washington Peace
Center |
For over 35 years, the Washington Peace
Center has worked to engender a more peace-filled world. We actively
train our constituency against all forms of oppression and the violence
inherent in thesewhether based on race, class, gender or sexual
orientation. We reveal through our work that all people, including
those with whom we disagree, are entitled to respect and their basic
human rights. We maintain our strong opposition to acts of violencewhether
domestic or foreign, in the home or on the battlefield. And, most
of all, we continue to affirm our belief in the power of people,
united, to foster change in their neighborhoods, their countries
and around the world. |
| Women's Action
for New Directions (WAND) |
WAND is working to ensure that women's
voices are heard at every table where decisions are made. |
| Women's Human
Rights Net |
WHRNet is encouraging people to action
to help stop the war in Afghanistan and promote women's human rights
by signing on to their 12 Points. In the coming weeks, the 12 Points
will be used in lobbying efforts and awareness raising actions around
the world. By signing up you will strengthen these efforts and join
a growing movement to persuade world governments and the UN that
there are alternatives to military action and the cycle of violence,
destruction and death. |
| Women's International
League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) |
The Women's International League for
Peace and Freedom was founded in 1915 during World War I, with Jane
Addams as its first president. WILPF works to achieve through peaceful
means world disarmament, full rights for women, racial and economic
justice, an end to all forms of violence, and to establish those
political, social, and psychological conditions which can assure
peace, freedom, and justice for all. |
| World Council
of Churches |
GENEVA — World Council of Churches
general secretary Konrad Raiser sent a pastoral letter to member
churches in the United States Thursday, expressing continued ecumenical
support and sympathy in the wake of the attacks on New York and
Washington, DC, and urging discernment and encouraging faithfulness
in local, national, and international responses.
The letter also shares the WCC Executive Committee’s
recommendation to send a delegation of church leaders from around
the world to the U.S. as “‘living letters’ of compassion,
and to engage with you in a common reflection about how we can shape
a shared witness to the world in a time of such great need.”
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| World Federalist
Association |
The World Federalist Association is
a nonprofit educational and advocacy organization advancing effective
means of ending genocide, democratizing the United Nations and other
institutions of global governance. We believe that peace is not
merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice, of law,
of order--in short, of government and the institutions of government.
Staff, researchers, and members promote the universal rule of law
at the international level by defining and advocating global solutions
to global problems, keeping in mind the necessity of complementing
those of local and national communities in a federal system of government.
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