"The progressive movement must stand firm at this dangerous time in opposition to the scapegoating of Arab and Islamic people, in support of basic civil and democratic rights, and for a U.S. foreign policy which is about justice, fair trade, environmental sustainability and a raising of the living standards of all people, especially those in the countries of the Global South."
September 12, 2001
The Executive Committee of the Independent Progressive Politics Network thoroughly condemns the hijacking of four airplanes and their use to attack the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. We grieve with and our hearts go out to those who have family members who have died, been wounded or who are still missing because of these actions. We believe that those responsible for these attacks should be brought to justice.
We take this position as an organization with members who have spent years of their lives, in some cases decades, fighting the Pentagon and U.S. militarism. We have played an active role in the movement against the IMF, World Bank, World Trade Organization, NAFTA, the FTAA and a deeply-rooted, unjust, racist and imperialist foreign policy. Many of us have worked hard and endured sacrifices in opposition to the state terrorism used and supported by successive U.S. governments going back many decades against people struggling for freedom and liberation around the world.
We do not support such violence against civilians as we saw yesterday as a legitimate response to these destructive realities.
There are great dangers ahead of us. Without question, the Bush Administration will attempt to use this tragedy to create a more repressive society at home, increase military spending and make the “fight against terrorism” even more the basis of our foreign policy.
More than likely most Democrats will go along with this.
The progressive movement must stand firm at this dangerous time in opposition to the scapegoating of Arab and Islamic people, in support of basic civil and democratic rights, and for a U.S. foreign policy which is about justice, fair trade, environmental sustainability and a raising of the living standards of all people, especially those in the countries of the Global South.
The answer to yesterday’s actions is not more of the same, more intensively. The answer is to turn away from policies and actions that have bred hatred and anger against the U.S. government. Ultimately, it is these actions which are most responsible for the use of such terrible tactics.
Original: IPPN Executive Committee Statement