Statement by Global Exchange

As an international human rights organization committed to social justice, Global Exchange condemns in the strongest terms the attacks that occurred on September 11. Along with people in the US and around the world, we are grieving for the tragic loss of lives. Our deepest sympathies are with the victims¹ families and loved ones.

In the midst of this tragedy we are urging our fellow citizens and our national leaders to remember that vengeance offers no relief, that retaliation can never guarantee healing, and that to meet violence with violence breeds more rage and more senseless deaths. Only love leads to peace with justice, while hate takes us toward war and injustice.

As we mourn, we also urge all people to recognize that scapegoating is a misguided substitute for accountability. It is unfair and unjust to single out or try to punish any group of people ‹as some have already done towards Arab and Muslim communities worldwide‹ for the murderous acts of a few individuals. Respect for the civil liberties of all people must be upheld. Prejudice, we must remember, is a spiral of hatred that only leads to more of the violence like that which has destroyed so many lives today.

As part of the global human rights community, we pledge to redouble our efforts to build bridges of love and respect around the world. We also renew our commitment to our goals of peace, reconciliation and love towards our brothers and sisters around the world‹the only way to ensure that the tragedy of September 11 will not be repeated.



VIGIL 6PM POWELL AND MARKET, San Francisco

In response to today's tragic plane attacks in New York City and Washington, a coalition of social justice and religious groups are sponsoring a peaceful candlelight vigil tonight at 6:00 p.m. at Powell and Market in San Francisco. We are keeping the message of the vigil focused and simple:

(1) we stand in mourning for the victims who have died and who are injured in the plane attacks in New York City and Washington;

(2) we urge all responses to the attacks to be peaceful; and

(3) in this time of crisis, we call on the civil liberties of all people to be respected and preserved.



As We Grieve, Let Us Remember that Vengeance Offers No Relief