Revolutionary Worker #1170, October 13, 2002, posted at http://rwor.org
As we go to press...
On Sunday, October 6, across the country--from New York's Central Park to San Francisco, tens of thousands manifested--taking The Pledge of Resistance--united in their resolve to say: NOT IN OUR NAME.
Next week, full coverage of October 6 events in the Revolutionary Worker.
The RCP salutes the brave resisters who stepped out on October 6 to say "Not in Our Name."
Not in Our Name: U.S. bombings and interventions;
Not in Our Name: war on Iraq
Not in Our Name: injustice against Arab and Muslim people;
Not in Our Name: big brother repressive laws;
Not in Our Name: an atmosphere of fear and suspicion where critical thought itself is
suspect.
*****
Together we confront a dangerous and intolerable situation. And the whole world is watching what we do.
Drunk with power, the U.S. government is waging open-ended war and bringing down great suffering and injustice on people around the world.
*****
TOGETHER we are called on to galvanize the sentiments of millions against this juggernaut of war and repression and TOGETHER we are capable of doing it.
We know that there are people all over the country who are sickened by what is happening. The "War on Terrorism" is revealing itself to be profoundly illegitimate, unjust and immoral.
All of this madness is being done "in our name"--in the name of the people of the United States, in the name of September 11, in the name of safety, security, anti- terrorism, order and even peace. But none of this will bring safety or security--and that is not its purpose. This is a global grab for a locked-down world--rearranged to suit corporate American capitalism, enforced by smartbombs, commandos and police wiretaps.
And more and more people are saying: this cannot be allowed to go down.
Across the world people are horrified and angered by the sudden grab for world control of this belligerent "hyperpower." They are told that "America stands united"--that the U.S. government acts "in our name."
They are told that nothing can stand up to this machinery of war and attack.
So it is of historic significance that on October 6, thousands across the country came together to take a pledge of resistance, to say: `We believe that as people living in the United States it is our responsibility to resist the injustices done by our government, in our names.'
Our actions brought heart and hope to people around the world. In the very country which is unleashing suffering and bombs on their heads--there are people who will not go along with this oppressive program, people who want to stop this war machine.
Together we are acting to change the climate in this country--to carve out space for all those who want to resist, to galvanize the sentiments of the people, to come together and act against the monstrous things coming down.
As we stepped out together on October 6, we celebrated our diversity and our solidarity. We came together: immigrant communities under siege, proletarians who live the American nightmare firsthand; youth and veterans from the 1960s; resisters from many walks of life. Among us there are different views on the causes and solutions to the problems we confront. But while our views differ-- and we will continue to debate and dialogue--we come together now united to oppose the unjust actions of the government that are being carried out in our name.
October 6 marked a turning point--a new beginning--a platform to take the movement of resistance to a whole new level.
Together we need to build the kind of movement that can speak to millions, unite all those who oppose this war and repression, and bring out the truth. Together we need to build the kind of resistance throughout society that can stand up to a government that is stripping away the rights of the people in the name of safety. Together we need to stop the machinery of war and repression. It will take all our courage and creativity, our energy and our resolve, our heart and our humanity.
This article is posted in English and Spanish on Revolutionary Worker Online
rwor.org
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