911 families say lashing out is not the answer ( Al Jazerra exclusive)

Al Jazerra ^ | 04/03/03 | Habib Battah and Adam Porter

[alisasny]

Thursday 03, April, 2003 / Last Updated: 9:38PM Doha time, 2:38AM GMT

When her 37-year-old nephew was killed during the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre, Valerie Lucznikowska was broken with despair. When President George W. Bush began to speak about America’s response, her trauma was amplified.

Lucznikowska is now on tour speaking out against the bombing of Iraq, with the often-overlooked group, `September 11th Families For A Peaceful Tomorrow.’

“I just can’t understand the motivation of President Bush,” she said. Born and raised in New York, Lucznikowska never felt the desire to avenge her nephew’s death.

“What would it be for. Why would I want the anguish visited on other people? What for? I know how it felt, I know what the anguish feels like, I searched for my nephew when the World Trade went down.”

She was particularly disturbed by a speech given by her president days after the attacks. It invoked the name of Abe Zelmanowitz, a man who was killed because he refused to leave the side of his quadriplegic colleague.

According to the Bush speech, such “eloquent acts of sacrifice” showed “an abiding love for our country.”

“I realised that my country was going to use my brother’s act as justification for going to war in Afghanistan. I absolutely disagreed with it,” wrote Rita Lasar--the man’s sister--in an article that appeared in the Jewish Week last year.

Lasar later travelled to Afghanistan with a group of people who lost relatives on September 11. When she returned she founded September 11th Families For A Peaceful Tomorrow.

911 has been exploited

Lucznikowska fully agreed with her sentiments, claiming her brother’s tragedy was manipulated to bolster the cause of violence.

“President Bush used that case of humanity to make a case for revenge.”

“That person,” she explained, “the man who stayed behind to look after his colleague, he was an orthodox Jewish man, and a man of peace.”

“What President Bush did not know, and what gave us the energy to start the group, was that that man would have hated to see a response like that of the administration.”

“I know because his sister Rita Lazar was the founder of our group. Another of our founders was Kelly Campbell who lost a brother in the Pentagon, yet so often the attack on the Pentagon was used to make a case for more wars. It is the wrong response.”

“Now I speak all over the world, telling people about our group, telling people about the need for international law and respect for life. We have to break the cycle of violence.”

She says she’s received many warm welcomes throughout her travels, and claims that in Italy alone, 400 municipalities have signed a motion against the war.

Lucznikowska and September 11th Families For A Peaceful Tomorrow are making the case for the rule of international law.

Civil society, she said, is founded on laws that apply to everyone equally. Such a system has been created for the sake of the young, “to show them the value of reasoned debate and laws,” she added.

“Lashing out will not help anyone.”

She says her group does not receive much attention from US media. But When she does get a chance to provide a sound bite, she usually quotes Martin Luther King Jr.:

“ ‘Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows ‘.”

“When I tell them that they usually understand.”

[alisasny]

I wanted to get a few articles posted before they get hacked again so we have them on record.

Can anyone verify the group mentioned and find a contact info?

[goldstategop]

They found one 9-11 dimwit for negative comment. Sorry Aljazeera you suck.

[Zipporah]

here ya go..

http://www.peacefultomorrows.org/

[Gamecock]

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Statement on Iraq War "The past is prophetic in that it asserts that wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows. One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means. How much longer must we play at deadly war games before we heed the plaintive pleas of the unnumbered dead and maimed of past wars?" –Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows condemns unconditionally the illegal, immoral, and unjustified US-led military action in Iraq. As family members of September 11th victims, we know how it feels to experience "shock and awe," and we do not want other innocent families to suffer the trauma and grief that we have endured. While we also condemn the brutality of Saddam Hussein's regime, it does not justify the brutality, death and destruction being visited upon Iraq and its citizens by our own government. [read more] Posted March 19, 2003 A Call for Civil Disobedience On Monday March 17 three Peaceful Tomorrows members were arrested as part of a week of nonviolent civil disobedience around the country in opposition to the war in Iraq [see the March 17 press release]. Check United for Peace and Justice's Nonviolent Direct Action Campaign page for more information. On Thursday, March 14 and March 15th, members of Peaceful Tomorrows engaged in separate acts of civil disobedience at the Capitol in Washington DC [see the March 13 press release], and at the Pacific Stock Exchange in San Francisco with past stock exchange president Warren Langley [read Washington Post story][read remarks given]. Posted March 17, 2003 Join the Women of Peaceful Tomorrows to stand up for peace & justice on International Women's Day. Come to Washington, DC March 3 - 9, 2003 to take part in the International Women's Day Week of Events. Join thousands of women and men from all walks of life for this amazing women-led peace convergence. Join with Alice Walker, Maxine Hong Kingston, Janeane Garofalo, Barbara Ehrenreich, Dr. Helen Caldicott, Vandana Shiva, Granny D, Susan Griffen, Michelle Shocked, Rania Masri, feminist theologian Hyun Kyung, Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams, Cheri Honkala, Inga Muscio, Terry Tempest Williams, Starhawk, Medea Benjamin and many others for the rally and march. Peaceful Tomorrows will be represented and have a speaker at the rally. For more information: www.unitedforpeace.org/women Posted March 2, 2003 Peaceful Tomorrows to Lead March in NYC United for Peace and Justice has invited Peaceful Tomorrows to lead the February 15 march in New York City. A march in San Francisco will take place on Feb. 16. Peaceful Tomorrows members will be speaking in at the rallies in both cities. These demonstrations are part of a weekend of world-wide opposition to war against Iraq. For more information about these march or other events in your area, visit United for Peace and Justice. Hope to see you there! UPDATE: The permit for the NYC march has not been granted by the city, but the rally is permitted and will still take place. Come and be counted at this critical time! Peaceful Tomorrows Anniversary Celebration February 14 Join us on the eve of the march, Feb. 14, at Judson Memorial Church in NYC to celebrate the one year of working for peace with Peaceful Tomorrows and friends. [more info | PDF flyer ] Updated feb. 12, 2003 September 11th Family Members Return From Iraq, Delegation Challenges World Leaders to Win Without War NEW YORK CITY—Returning from six days of making people-to-people contacts at schools, hospitals and universities in Baghdad and Basra, Iraq, family members of September 11 victims challenged world leaders to “use some imagination” to find alternatives to military action in that nation. [read the full press release] [view photos] Posted Jan. 15, 2003 A People-to-People Delegation to Iraq September 11th Family Members To Visit Iraq; People-to-People Delegation Will Highlight the Human Face of War Bolstered by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assertion that "wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows," family members of September 11 victims will travel to Iraq from January 5-14, 2003, to make public their conviction that war will not bring peaceful tomorrows to that nation, to the Middle East region, or to the United States. The four-member delegation represents September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, an advocacy group seeking effective, non-violent alternatives to war and terrorism. [read the full press release] [view photos] Jan. 02, 2003 Afghan Portraits of Grief: The Civilian/Innocent Victims of U.S. Bombing in Afghanistan by Peaceful Tomorrows and Global Exchange Following a Global Exchange delegation of Peaceful Tomorrows members to Afghanistan in January 2002, the groups initiated a survey of victims of US military action in Afghanistan. This report documents the survey results and reveals the faces and stories of some of these largely unacknowledged Afghan victims. In disclosing the human costs of the conflict, the report is intended to generate support for programs to aid those people who were harmed by the U.S. military campaign. [PDF Download] Posted Oct. 21, 2002 Steps To Peace Video Steps to Peace: The Journey of September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows is a 15 minute video including interviews with people who lost loved ones on 9/11, their decision to speak out as a voice for peace, the formation of the group Peaceful Tomorrows and highlights of major activities including the DC to NYC walk for healing and peace and the first trip to Afghanistan. This video serves as an introduction to the messages of Peaceful Tomorrows and as a starting point for local discussions about action for a peaceful world. NOTE: The Steps to Peace video is out of stock but is projected to be available March 2003. [read more and to order] Updated Dec. 29, 2003 Correspondence with the White House on Iraq In September 2002, members of Peaceful Tomorrows wrote a letter to President Bush expressing our concerns around the proposed war in Iraq. We received a reply from Condoleezza Rice on the president's behalf several weeks later, and responded to her letter asking for a meeting to discuss our concerns. [read more] Posted Nov. 18, 2002 Photos The gallery includes photo albums from trips to Iraq in January 2003, Afghanistan in January 2002 and June 2002, as well as Cards Written by Students in Afghanistan to Kids of America, April 20 Peace March in Washington DC, Meeting Hiroshima Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Survivors in NYC and others.. [view gallery] Updated Jan. 29, 2003 Newsletter December 2002 IN THIS ISSUE: 12/09/02: Our Personal Reflections On 9-11-02, Japan Peace Message, Peaceful Tomorrows On Iraq, Bowling For Columbine Benefit, European Social Forum, Nonviolent Peace Force in India, Peaceful Tomorrows Is Honored, Afghanistan Campaign, Bring Peaceful Tomorrows To Your Community In 2003 [read more] Posted Dec. 9, 2002 Press Release September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows Join Congressional Representatives in Call for Alternatives to Iraq Military Action [read more] Posted Sept. 25, 2002 Music by Peaceful Tomorrows Members Steps to Peace-for Deora (mp3 format, 1.2Meg) by Derrill Bodley The Art of Being Kind-for Laurie (mp3 format, 4.5Meg) by Kristina Olsen Join or Contribute Click the get involved section for membership information for family and friends of 9/11 victims, plus information for supporters and contributions. Front page news archive here

Voices of Peaceful Tomorrows More original writing in Voices I Support Our Troops John Leinung Featured Media more in Media Coverage New York Times Antiwar Effort Emphasizes Civility Over Confrontation March 29, 2003 The Wall Street Journal Widows Oppose Bush's Effort To Link Iraq War and Sept. 11 March 19, 2003 Washington Post 9/11 Families Fight Tears And a New War March 19, 2003 New York Newsday Last-Ditch Protests on Capital's Streets March 18, 2003 CNN Dozens of anti-war protesters arrested outside Capitol March 18, 2003 Washington Times Protests continue amid looming war March 17, 2003 Fort Wayne News Sentinel Antiwar groups keep protesting on eve of war March 17, 2003 Juneau Empire Sept. 11 victim's brother to speak in Juneau March 16, 2003 Washington Post 'Direct Action' Seen as Next Step If War Begins March 15, 2003 Associated Press Anti-War Protesters Arrested Near Capitol March 13, 2003 The Guardian UK 'I'm not going to respond to terrorism by becoming a terrorist' February 22, 2003 CNN Unexpected stories behind war protesters February 15, 2003 Village Voice Don't Fence Them In Febuary 12 Washington Post Women Put Faith To Work for Peace January 30 Washington Post A River of Peaceful People January 23, 2003 Council Bluffs Daily Tinley: Peace a common goal for Iraqi people January 21, 2003 Boston Globe War talk makes Iraq a peace stop January 18, 2003 Chicago Tribune Protesting war, groups battle stereotypes too January 17, 2003 Pacifica's Peace Watch Families of 9-11 Victims Travel to Iraq [mp3 download - starts at 10:12 into the file] January 16, 2003 New York Times Protest Groups Using Updated Tactics to Spread Antiwar Message January 15, 2003 Washington Post Activists Bring War Protests to Baghdad January 14, 2003 Reuters Sept. 11 Families Call for Alternatives to Iraq War January 13, 2003 Iowa City Press-Citizen Terrorist victim families connect with Iraqis January 13, 2003 San Francisco Chronicle Gulf War, Sept. 11 victims meet in Iraq - Sad pilgrimage made to urge nonviolent response January 9, 2003 Ireland Online Sept 11 victims share grief with Iraqis January 9, 2003 Reuters Families of Sept. 11 Victims Hold Vigil in Iraq January 9, 2003 The Associated Press Sept. 11 Victims' Kin Protest in Iraq - Families of Sept. 11 Victims Join in Grief With Iraqis Who Lost Loved Ones in Gulf War January 8, 2003 CNN World U.S. group advocates peace in Iraq January 8, 2003 New York Times Swords, Plowshares and 9/11 Steel January 7, 2003 CNN Europe Perspective: Kat Tinley January 5, 2003 Galveston Daily News Victim’s brother: Iraq war not solution December 15, 2002 Australian Broadcasting Corp. S11 victims' families strive for peace December 9, 2002 Athens Banner-Herald Groups call for giving peace a chance - 'Prayer' for war victims December 12, 2002 Common Dreams Gandhi's Granddaughter Joins World's Activists in New Peace Force November 29, 2002 The Mountain Times Not Out for Blood: Brother of 9-11 Victim Advocates Peace October 31, 2002 Portsmouth Herald Call to Action for peace instead of war in Iraq November 10, 2002 Des Moines Register 9/11 victim's niece pushes for peace October 20, 2002 Hope Magazine Legacies of Love September/October 2002 The Olympian We can all create a culture of peace here and now September 21, 2002 Common Dreams Relatives of Sept. 11 Victims Reject More Violence September 12, 2002 The Santa Rosa Press Democrat Flight 93 family advocates peace September 11, 2002 The Idaho Statesman From fear to forgiveness: It’s time to move toward healing and peace September 10, 2002 Madison Capital Times Take Path of Active Nonviolence in Response to 9-11 September 4, 2002 United Methodist News Service United Methodists find destruction, hope in Afghanistan July 9, 2002 Fellowship Magazine Choosing Hope Over Experience March/April 2002 more in Media Coverage

"Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows"–Martin Luther King, Jr.

[goldstategop]

There are screwed up Lefties and there are screwed up Lefties. It takes a certain person with a certain mindset not to appreciate exactly what 9-11 did to our country. Fortunately, 99% of those who survived that day do get it.

[Zipporah]

These people.. are misled. The leftist wackos are using them against their own country..and the don't realize that they are being used as pawns.

[sinkspur]

These women (how did I know they would all be women?) are sappy Give-Peace-a-chancers. Bush is not seeking "revenge." He is doing his constitutional duty, which is to defend the country against further attacks.

They don't like "violence"; I guess they'd just have us sit back and have 30,000 killed in the next attack.

[nanomid]

Leftists congregate in high-density metro areas, making themselves targets

Then they capitalize on thousands of non-affiliated deaths for their own ends.
They sicken me.

[sirchtruth]

“ ‘Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows ‘.” I'd like to ask this poor fish how long peace has lasted between Germany, Japan, Russian, and America.

These Anti-Bush numbskulls just do not get it. With nearly 80% approval for the war, even if we don't find WMD, it makes them WRONG....Time after time they have been proven WRONG.

They are always WRONG!

PEACE THOUGH STRENGTH

[goldstategop]

You would think they would be the first people on earth to appreciate having a nuclear Sword Of Damoscles lifted from our heads. What Aljazeera is telling Arab audiences is NOT mainstream reaction to 9-11 in America so they haven't a clue as to why its affected most of us as it has and why we are taking action to avert the danger from Iraq before it has a chance to reach our shores.

[UCFRoadWarrior]

Yes, thats right....they are being used by anti-US leftists.

Just been watching the news and Coalition forces may have discovered Salman Pak...the alleged terrorist-training facility used by Al-Qaeda

Unfortunately, peace towards terrorists doesnt work. I think the Israelis have learned that w the Palestinians

[Jaded]

I am sorry that so many lost loved ones on 9/11 but aren't they exploiting it too?

Touchy-feely types like this will NEVER get it. To them, it doesn't matter how much blood is shed as long as they cand hold hands and raise more money. Then they move on to the next group that will be impressed with them wrapped in their cloak of victimhood.

[halfdome]

I worked with a lot of people who died in the WTC. Their survivors feel that they appreciate what 9/11 did to country as well as anyone, and they do not want to inflict pain such as they have felt on anyone else, and feel insulted that the victims on 9/11 are invoked in connection with the war on Iraq. They are not necessarily lefties, either. How many of your family, friends and co-workers did you lose on 9/11?

[Keith]

"Oooooh..yea...uhhh...a little to the left...ohh my..."

--Martin Luther King on an FBI surveillance tape

[Zipporah]

We learned that in the Clinton era.. he turned a blind eye to terrorist activity.. eg. The Cole, the first attack on the WTC, Mogadishu... the US has been looked upon as fools.. and if they had been dealt with properly then, we wouldn't have thousands dead on 911 and now in Iraq.

[demnomo]

I'm sure this nit wit treasures the letters of thanks that she must have received from Osama Bin Laden, Mullah Omar & Saddam Hussein. She probably thinks that the people of Afghanistan would have been better off had the US not gone into Afghanistan and routed the Taliban and Al Qaeda. She feels the same for the people of Iraq.

Frankly, I don't believe that she is really for "peace." No one is so stupid as to believe that evil fanatics, murderers and torturers can be pacified or even reasoned with. This woman is a communist. She hates President Bush and is just trying to further a much more sinister agenda. I'll bet that she probably thought that Pol Pot and Stalin were just victims of the evil Republicans and that the US should have just forgiven the Japanese for bombing Pearl Harbor. (Bush is worse that Hitler to her, so I won't speculate on her feelings regarding Nazism.)

I wonder what the parents of this woman's nephew think about 9/11? I believe that this auntie is just using her nephew's death to further her own leftist wet dream of a Marxist paradise judging from the company that she keeps.

[MeekOneGOP]

What a Lib Loser exploited by Al-Jazeera, the mouthpiece of Saddam Hussein . . .

[backtobasics]

Who said the war on Iraq was about 9/11? Its my understanding that Iraq failed to comply with conditions of disarmament that were laid out twelve years ago. After much talk, and time to comply, Saddam still refused to comply. We finally got tired of his "brinksmanship" games and slammed the door to further negotiations. Now the Coalition is doing exactly what it said it would do all along if Saddam did not deliver the goods........forcing compliance to UN resoloutions that were ignored by Saddam.

[Straight Vermonter]

I was made physically ill by this.