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September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows

Family members of people killed on September 11 gathered in New York on February 14 to announce the founding of a new organization, September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. They plan to work together to promote effective, nonviolent ways to counter terrorism and to advocate for an open discussion about peaceful and just responses. "We chose Valentine's Day to launch Peaceful Tomorrows because our families have been comforted by the love, compassion, and sympathy of people all over the world," said Colleen Kelly who lost her brother William Kelly Jr. at the World Trade Center. "It is this spirit of healing and understanding that we want to bring to the world in memory of our lost loved ones."

Kabul bomb site, January 2002. Photo: Gene Stoltzfus

Members of the organization include a delegation of family members who recently returned from a trip to Afghanistan to highlight the plight of those innocent families affected by the US bombing campaign, family members who led a walk for healing and peace from the Pentagon to the World Trade Center in November, as well as other families who have spoken with concern about the US response to the September 11 tragedies. Peaceful Tomorrows members have asked that violent responses, such as the US bombing campaign in Afghanistan, not be done in their names or the names of their loved ones.

"We believe that the American people have been denied a dialogue on appropriate responses to the events of September 11," said David Potorti, East Coast Co-Director of Peaceful Tomorrows, who lost his brother at the World Trade Center. "Our single-minded rush to war has been made without thoughtful consideration of long-term consequences for our safety, security, and freedom. We will use our voices to promote a discussion about better solutions, ones based on justice, not vengeance."

One of the first projects the group is undertaking is the Afghan Sister Families Campaign to help families in Afghanistan suffering from the effects of the US military campaign. Kelly Campbell, sister-in-law of Craig Amundson who died in the Pentagon, and West coast co-director of the group, was one of those who made the trip to Afghanistan: "We met many Afghan families who lost loved ones due to the US bombing because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, just like our loved ones were on September 11. These families are suffering just as we are yet many of them are also struggling to feed their children, let alone rebuild their homes. Helping these innocent victims of our government's action is simply the right thing to do."

The group is asking the US government to conduct a study of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, and to provide compensation to affected families. "We are delivering a valentine to President Bush today, asking him to help us set up a fund for the innocent Afghan victims," said Phyllis Rodriguez, who lost her son Greg Rodriguez at the World Trade Center. "By helping others who are suffering from the effects of violence and war, we honor the memory of our lost loved ones in a positive way."

Peaceful Tomorrows members will speak at public events, join with like-minded organizations working for peace and justice, and endorse policies to promote peace and understanding throughout the world. The group invites other families and friends of those lost on September 11 and supporters of their message to join Peaceful Tomorrows. To learn more, visit on the web at www.peacefultomorrows.org

Contact: Kelly Campbell, 415-518-1991 (cell) or Rita Lasar, 212-253-7651

http://www.afsc.org/pwork/0203/020324.htm>p> Note that Kelly Campbell is the *sister-in-law* of Craig Amundsen, whose brother also went on the trip. And remember that Amundsen worked at the PENTAGON.

These people are shameless opportunists who saw a way to promote their America-hating agendas on the tragedy of people who would never agree with what they are doing!