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Recommitting to Peace on 9/11

Posted on: Friday, September 11, 2009

Keywords: Afghanistan, Peace Building, US Foreign Policy

Eight years ago, nearly three thousand people in New York, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania were killed in the September 11th attacks. Today, we remember that crime against humanity and the resilience and courage that so many demonstrated in its wake.

Across the globe, people of every background, nation, religion and culture grieved together with the people of the US. Our sister organizations reached out to us with their expressions of concern and solidarity, many of whom knew firsthand the fear and vulnerability we felt at that moment.

In the days following September 11, 2001, MADRE called for an international response that would promote peace around the world. We joined with those seeking justice and stood against actions that would seek vengeance through destruction.

Today, we say again that retaliation through military force has only increased the bloodshed. In Afghanistan, where US bombing campaigns began within a month of the September attacks, an already war-ravaged population became the targets of an unjust “war on terror.” Eight years and countless civilian deaths later, it is clear that the war on Afghanistan has only compounded the violence of September 11th.

As the Obama Administration considers further military escalation in Afghanistan, MADRE again calls for an end to the violence and destruction. Next week is the eighth anniversary of the Congressional authorization for military action in response to September 11.

Visit our website and blog next week for more information about how you can take a stand for peace and justice, with joint actions sponsored by MADRE, CODEPINK and other progressive organizations.

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