Now is the time for all people of conscience to join together. If you believe in civil liberties for all, if you oppose the scapegoating of our sister and brother communities, if you oppose war, join us on September 29th in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
In the Aftermath of Sept. 11th:
In Los Angeles: Demonstrate for Peace with Justice
Tell George Bush -
War and Racism Are Not the Answer
Saturday, September 29 - Westwood Federal Building
· Money for victims’ needs, not war
· No to anti-Arab racism
· Defend the civil rights of Arab-Americans and Muslims
· Don't let the government take away our civil liberties
· No U.S. war drive
We extend our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to all those who lost loved ones on September 11, as well as to the thousands of workers who were in lower Manhattan that day. Like many others, our organizations had members and friends who worked in the World Trade Center and the area, and who lost loved ones.
In light of the current crisis, with its tragic consequences for so many thousands of people, we call for a demonstration to address the immediate danger posed by racism and the grave threat of a new war.
There is a sharp increase in racist attacks against the Arab American, Muslim, Afghani, and other communities of color. Anti-Arab and anti-Muslim racism is a poison that should be repudiated by all people. It is more important than ever for all justice-loving people to stand together with our sisters and brothers who are victims of violence, scapegoating and harassment in recent days. Much of the media has played an irresponsible role in helping to fuel a racist hysteria.
The government is attempting to take away our civil liberties and create a climate in which it could be impossible for people to speak out, through the militarization of U.S. society and a vast expansion of police powers. This would lead to the severe restriction of basic democratic rights for all working and poor people.
Instead of supporting Bush’s call for war, as people in the U.S. it is vital that we reflect on what U.S. government policy has done around the world to devastate the lives of tens of millions of people. At this moment the people in the U.S. need time to grieve and to extend sympathy and condolences to all those families who were direct victims of the horrific September 11th attack.
But we are also confronted with the need to act. If President Bush gets his way, instead of thousands of people being killed, the number of victims at home and abroad could grow to the tens of thousands and maybe more. A new war against the people in the Middle East will only lead to an escalating of violence.
Now is the time for all people of conscience to join together. If you believe in civil liberties for all, if you oppose the scapegoating of our sister and brother communities, if you oppose war, join us on September 29th in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. We urge all organizations and individuals to join together at this critical time.
We demand that the government spend billions to rebuild New York City and to compensate the victims of the September 11th attack and their families, many of whom lost not only loved ones, but also jobs, homes and healthcare - not for a new war. We call on all people - Black, Latino, Asian, Arab American, Native and white - to stand together and say no to racism. Let us work toward a world of peace with justice.
COME TO A PLANNING MEETING:
RESPOND TO THE WAVE OF RACISM AGAINST
MUSLIMS AND ARAB-AMERICANS
STOP U.S. WAR DRIVE
PLANNING MEETING: THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 19, 7PM.
FOR LOCATION PLEASE CALL THE IAC AT (213) 487-2368
Nationally coordinated actions in Washington, San Francisco and Los Angeles
Initial Sponsors: International Action Center; Bishop Thomas Gumbleton;
National Lawyers Guild
For information call (213) 487.2368 or email iacenterla@action-mail.org