COALITION FOR WORLD PEACE — MAY PEACE PREVAIL ON EARTH
Los Angeles
September 12, 2001
for more information, please contact:
Office of the Americas 323 852 9808 or
Fellowship of Reconciliation 310 837 1313
coalitionforworldpeace@yahoo.com
PEACE VIGIL SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2001
Pershing Square, 5th and Olive, Downtown LA ¥ 5:00 pm
In the wake of Tuesday, September 11th's tragedy, let us unite to express our need and desire for peace. Our compassion for innocent lives lost fills us with grief. We are hurt and we want our community to come together so that we can heal.
We urge our fellow citizens and national leaders to show the world our capacity for reflection, a reasoned response and restraint. We believe that in a world of violence, no one is safe. While the people responsible for Tuesday's atrocities must be brought to justice, justice and revenge are not synonymous. Vengeance breeds vengeance. It is un-American to single out and punish any group of people for the murderous acts of a few individuals. Prejudice only escalates the spiral of hatred that leads to these brutal attacks. If there is any hope for us to create a world where peace prevails, we must each face the challenge that this moment presents us. This is a call Americans to practice compassion in the face of vengeance. Let us take hope and inspiration from the selfless heroism and community spirit we have seen in the streets of New York and all across the nation and the world.
As members of the global human rights community, we pledge to redouble our efforts to build bridges of love, respect and understanding around the world. As we stand on the brink of disaster beyond imagination, we call on each other to bring an end to violence everywhere and create a future of peace and justice for all humanity. We are one planet, and peace can only reign where justice lives.
ENDORSING MEMBERS AS OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2001 (partial list)
Acting In Solidarity With The Afghan People (ASAP)
Buddhist Peace Fellowship - Los Angeles
Caltech Progressive Coalition
Clergy and Laity United For Economic Justice (CLUE)
Committee In Solidarity With The People Of El Salvador (CISPES)
Fellowship Of Reconciliation
Office Of The Americas
Peace and Justice Committee of Immaculate Heart Community
Reverend Al G. Cohen
Unity and Diversity World Council
STOP THE VIOLENCE
What has occurred in New York and Washington is a tragedy. Please ensure that more violence doesn't ensue. No more innocent victims!
Here's what you can do:
1. Call President Bush and Senators Boxer and Feinstein. Urge them to refrain from indiscriminate retaliation that will cause the deaths of more innocent civilians.
2. Oppose racism. Challenge racist scapegoating on the airwaves and call Arab American organizations to voice your support.
3. Be a voice of restraint. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
CALL!
President Bush 202/456-1414
Senators Boxer and Feinstein 202/224-3121