The individuals and organizations that comprise United for Justice with Peace express our profound grief for the thousands whose lives were cut short in the September 11, 2001 attacks, and extend our heartfelt condolences to all those who suffered losses in the event. We stand with people of conscience the world over in condemning unequivocally these horrendous acts of violence. In pursuit of a world without terror, the Coalition adopts the following principles:
We seek global peace through social and economic justice.
We will not support war, no matter what reason or rhetoric is offered by politicians or the media. War in our time and in this context is indiscriminate, a war against innocents and against children. Further militarization or restrictions of our society will also have dire consequences on human rights and civil liberties at home.
We are opposed to the use of military and economic aggression that targets countries and peoples to apprehend the few who are culpable. Those responsible should be brought to justice through genuine international cooperation and through judicial process based on the rule of law.
We oppose the diversion of positive human energy and material resources away from basic needs of health, education and affirmative social supports and toward the destructive and dangerous uses by the military.
We stand in defense of our constitutional civil liberties and reject the rush to repressive measures. We cannot be secure by limiting our liberties, as some of our political leaders are demanding, but only by expanding them.
We oppose anti-Arab, anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and all forms of racial, ethnic, and religious violence and bigotry.
We call for addressing the serious humanitarian crises in Afghanistan and other affected regions through genuine international cooperation under the leadership of neutral, independent aid organizations.
We call for root causes to be addressed. Millions of ordinary people in the Middle East are angered at US support for the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, the inhumane economic sanctions against Iraq, US support for repressive regimes, and the actions of unaccountable global economic institutions dominated by the United States, which have perpetuated poverty and despair at home and abroad. U.S. cultural domination over a pluralistic world and the unwanted forward deployment of U.S. foreign military bases are also a source of anger. Until these policies have been changed we will never be safe, and we will continue to betray the ideals of freedom, justice, and democracy which we rightly prize.
We are committed to nonviolence in all actions done in the name of the coalition.
We are committed to being a coalition which welcomes new voices and collaborates with other communities working for similar goals.
As those who have long struggled for social justice on many fronts, we are united in our resolve to demand policies which support human needs, not weaponry, exploitation and repression. More strongly than ever, we believe that democratic processes provide the only way forward. As we strive to remake the world in the image of a beloved community of global citizens, no one of whom suffers from the scourge of terror, we stand with those everywhere who are committed to justice, peace and the recognition of human dignity for all.
These principles are a work in progress. As more communities and individuals join our work for justice with peace, our principles will continue to evolve.