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Peace Presence Can War Stop Terror? |
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Peace Presence is a group of people who express their concerns regarding the ongoing international tensions since September 11 and encourages thoughtful consideration toward promoting a secure, just and lasting peace. These objectives are acted on by way of signs and literature at its weekly appearance at the Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford Federal Building and by way of its web site: www.peacepresence.org.
Brief Quotes from Participants "Aid and reconstruction are alternatives to war and destruction." "U.S. bombing will only widen the gulf between the East and West." "We really need to have that vision of global familywhen you have that sort of sense, you operate differently." "We are one humanity and we live or die together." "War: not in our name!" "We need to stay on the beautiful cycle of trust, love and peace and stay off that vicious cycle of fear, hate and war." "Don't give up the way of peace. The means is the way, the beginning and the end unfolding."
We share our concerns with millions locally, all across our nation, and all around the world. We see this growing movement as an essential part of a process toward international understanding and cooperation. Within our U.S. borders, we share concern regarding the threat of terror. We ask: since September 11, 2001, has the level of fear of future attacks against the U.S. gone down? Has the War on Terrorism helped to stamp out terror? What more can we do? We peace activists believe that terror should be met with firm confrontation but not with military action. We deeply regret that those guilty of the September 11 attacks have not received their just punishment by way of an international investigation and tribunal court. Instead, there is a worldwide opinion that the U.S. has taken international law into its own hands. We deeply regret the failure of the U.S. to fully answer the question Why? Why did the 9/11 attacks happen? Many people in the U.S. are aware of a great deal of resentment on the part of other nations, particularly the Arab/Muslim community, with regards to the unequal distribution of wealth worldwide. But what has been rarely mentioned in this regard, is that the U.S. has been providing other nations with armaments, especially Israel since 1948, totalling at least 125 billion of our tax dollars. The resulting military superiority over the Palestinians has bred much frustration and hostility toward the U.S. among the Arab/Muslim community. Granted, the Jews deserve better treatment than that given them during WWII and previous years. But we question any justification for the unrelenting numbers of detainments, killings, and takeovers of Palestinian lands. Granted again, the Palestinians are not guiltless of their own violence. But what is so often covered in the news are the violent acts committed against the Israelis and far less of the severe Israeli policies and acts committed against the Palestinians. It would be wise for the U.S. to stop arming the Israelis, so that the Israeli and Palestinian governments can establish a peaceful coexistence with the assistance of the United Nations and by way of dialogue and diplomacy. Rather than addressing the conflict in Israel and the Occupied Territories in response to the September 11 attacks, our nation has gone to war against Afghanistan and Iraq, thereby intensifying the hostilities toward the U.S. Currently, we dread possibilities of future U.S. invasions in Syria, Palestine, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Cuba and others. At this time in history, we feel a profound need for all of us to consider that the War on Terrorism is the same as terror fighting against terror which only arouses more potential for a backlash of terror against the U.S. Due to this terror cycle, no amount of federally controlled security will relieve our concerns regarding possibilities of future attacks. Granted, due to its military superiority, the U.S. is in the position to temporarily diminish the possibility of future attack against us by way of military threats. As the popular saying goes, "Don't mess with the U.S." But haven't the September 11 attacks already demonstrated that the U.S. cannot always rely on its military superiority? Can we see that as frustrations and hostilities are reaching higher levels, there is also a higher potential for hostilities to break through the fear of threats? Furthermore, do we Americans really want to make others fearful of us by giving out threats? Wouldn't we rather use more agreeable ways to interact with our neighbors?
The message of peace that millions worldwide express is often faith-based in true diversity. Peace, Shalom (Jewish) or Salaam (Arabic) not only means the absence of violence and war. It is also a state of security and condition of well-being, the ultimate goal for our planet, our global village. We participants of Peace Presence encourage the use of the following resources to help us break down the misunderstandings and barriers between the West and Arab/Muslim communities. It is by getting to know those who some see as enemies that we can make strides toward peace shalom salaam.
Arab/Muslim communities worldwide
Arab World Studies Notebook Discover Islam
Arab/Muslim communities in the U.S. American-Arab Anti-Discrimination
Committee Arab American Institute Foundation
Arab/Muslim communities in the Middle East Washington Report on Applied Research Institute Rebuilding Homes Campaign Israeli Committee Against House
Demolitions
Let us always remember the encouraging words from our well known American anthropologist, Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
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