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The
Green Party of New Jersey |
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 23,
2001
NJ Green Party condemns attacks, extends sympathy, calls for members to support relief activities and for a commitment to peace.
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Trenton. The Green Party of New Jersey condemns the hijacking of four jetliners and the subsequent violent attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. We extend our deepest sympathies to all who suffer because of Tuesday's attacks. For those who lost loved-ones, the pain must be unbearable. Those not directly affected have been struck to the core by witnessing the devastation unleashed on our nation this week. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy and their families. In the days, weeks, and months ahead all Americans must be very careful: careful that our reactions to the attacks do not create greater hostility, and provoke more violence. As individuals, we must make sure that we treat others with love and compassion; we must make sure that our responses to terror and fright are not anger and hate. In particular, we must guard against racist and xenophobic scapegoating. "For the Green Party of New Jersey this hits very close to home. I would encourage all Greens to support rescue and relief activities as appropriate, to provide personal support for affected families and to donate blood," stated Jerry Coleman, Green Party candidate for governor of New Jersey. "We must also guard against generalizing the appropriate condemnation of evil individuals--as yet unidentified--into prejudices against blameless individuals who may share their religious or ethnic backgrounds." Our government, too, must act with caution.
Congress and the President are under intense pressure to
act swiftly and violently to "bring those responsible to
justice." We
must not confuse justice with retaliation.
This is neither right, nor practical.
History tells us that only violence comes from violence. It is also impossible to win a war against
terrorism. Terrorists
wear no uniforms. There are no battlefields.
Striking back violently will only provoke more attacks,
putting more Americans-at home and abroad-in danger. But unless we turn our focus to the systemic causes of terrorism, violence will continue unabated. The U.S. must make significant changes in its foreign policy. Currently our foreign policy is designed to maintain American economic hegemony by exporting "free market" principles, and siding too often with dictatorships. Instead, we must pursue a foreign policy that actively wages peace and seeks to foster the growth of genuine democracies. In short, we must always side with the victims, not the victimizers. Joe Fortunato, Chair of the Green Party of
NJ, commented, "Terrorism can never be a positive strategy
for bringing about a better world.
In the aftermath of this horrific tragedy, we must
rededicate ourselves to social transformation of the world
through nonviolent means. This
voice must be heard now, more than ever.
We caution our political leaders that a measured
response, one that will not further inflame the forces of
intolerance and hatred, is required."
MORE INFORMATION:
Green Party of the United States |
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