On Thursday September 20, members of the Hamilton College community are invited to join together to speak out against racism and retaliatory military strikes in response to the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The speak-out is in solidarity with more than 130 colleges and universities from across the nation, which will hold similar actions. It will be held from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Martin's Way on the Hamilton campus.
At the speakout, which is organized by the Hamilton Peace and Justice Action Group in conjunction with the national Peaceful Justice Campaign (http://hompage.mac.com/peacefuljustice), Hamilton faculty, students and staff will speak about the dangers of violent retaliation and racism. Those scheduled to speak include Hamilton faculty from many departments and concerned students; singers and other
performers will participate as well. Educational flyers and petitions will also be available at the event.
"We want to let people know that there are alternatives to violent retaliation, and that we will not tolerate acts of racism against Muslim and Arab-Americans," said Peter Brunette '02, a spokesperson for the group. "President Bush used the term 'crusade' implying that our enemy is not terrorists, but Muslim people. We can't let these racist ideas go unquestioned."
Others emphasize the human costs of war, pointing to the huge numbers of innocent civilians killed in every military conflict. "We should combat terrorism through justice and the law, not the military,"commented Nancy Rabinowitz, another member of the
group.
Hamilton Peace and Justice Action Group is a group of Hamilton students, faculty and staff committed to promoting peaceful solutions. The group strives to work for global peace through justice, defend civil liberties, show that war and militarism are not the
answer, oppose anti-Islamic, anti-Arab and other racist bigotry, promote education and dialogue.
At the speakout, which is organized by the Hamilton Peace and Justice Action Group in conjunction with the national Peaceful Justice Campaign (http://hompage.mac.com/peacefuljustice), Hamilton faculty, students and staff will speak about the dangers of violent retaliation and racism. Those scheduled to speak include Hamilton faculty from many departments and concerned students; singers and other
performers will participate as well. Educational flyers and petitions will also be available at the event.
"We want to let people know that there are alternatives to violent retaliation, and that we will not tolerate acts of racism against Muslim and Arab-Americans," said Peter Brunette '02, a spokesperson for the group. "President Bush used the term 'crusade' implying that our enemy is not terrorists, but Muslim people. We can't let these racist ideas go unquestioned."
Others emphasize the human costs of war, pointing to the huge numbers of innocent civilians killed in every military conflict. "We should combat terrorism through justice and the law, not the military,"commented Nancy Rabinowitz, another member of the
group.
Hamilton Peace and Justice Action Group is a group of Hamilton students, faculty and staff committed to promoting peaceful solutions. The group strives to work for global peace through justice, defend civil liberties, show that war and militarism are not the
answer, oppose anti-Islamic, anti-Arab and other racist bigotry, promote education and dialogue.
