REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS,
WORKING FOR PEACE

Events on and Around 9/11 Anniversary

By Joseph McDonough

    Both the City of New York and New York State are planning respectful remembrances of the victims of the tragedies that occurred on September 11th at the one-year anniversary date. These events include a morning procession to the World Trade Center site and solemn ceremonies throughout the day including the reading of names of the victims by former Mayor Giuliani, and candlelight vigils that evening throughout the five boroughs. President Bush is expected to visit The World Trade Center site in the afternoon.

    These memorials, while respectful, will make little mention of the devastation that has occurred in Afghanistan and the many innocent victims who have died since Sept.11 in the war against terror. Many people, including BAJP, are also calling for days of remembrance that mourn the loss of life and call people to peace instead of war.

    Stand Up New York, a newly formed coalition of peace and activist groups, is having a mass public demonstration and rally for world peace through global justice on Sunday, Sept. 8. They are calling for local peace groups to have locally focused direct actions around New York on Friday, Saturday and Monday Sept. 6, 7, and 9. They will publish a calendar of local group direct actions if you contact them. The rally will proceed through the middle of New York to hopefully end at Union Square Park where speakers will remember the victims of Sept. 11 and others around the globe, call for peace, for global justice, for grassroots democracy, protest against war and the erosion of democratic freedoms and civil liberties at home, and to reaffirm our humanity.

    For further information about Stand Up New York events call (866) 206-9071 x6253 or email standupny@onebix.com.

    Colleen Kelly, a Bronx resident and member of BAJP, lost her brother, Bill Kelly, Jr., in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. She and a number of families who also lost relatives in the disaster started September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, an organization that is calling for peaceful solutions in the aftermath of Sept 11th. "September 11th must not continue to be used to promote more war and violence," Colleen states. Peaceful Tomorrows, along with many religious and human rights organizations will be sponsoring an all-night vigil in Washington Square Park from 7 p.m. on Sept. 10 until 10 a.m. on Sept. 11. The vigil will include speakers, music, poetry, silence, and a recitation of the names of the victims of Sept 11th, including those killed in Afghanistan, and those who have been illegally detained. There will also be a place of mourning where different religions will conduct healing and mourning rituals, including a Buddhist procession with lanterns, and quiet reflective music. "It is in remembering the universality of our grief that we shape our hope for a future of peaceful tomorrows", state the organizers who are also calling for organizations to have their own public vigil as well. For more information or to get your own vigil mentioned, contact www.peacefultomorrows.org or call the War Resisters League at (212) 228-0450. For other 9/11 peace events occurring around the country log onto www.unitedforpeace.org.

    Third World Within is calling all communities of color from around New York City (and around the world) to come together on September 11th in the Great Hall at Cooper Union, 7 East 7th Street near Astor Place to call for peace and justice through music, dance, and spoken word. The doors will open at 6 p.m. For more information, call (212) 353-7825
or e-mail peaceaction@yahoo.com.

    There will be many other local events throughout the five boroughs that local community organizations, groups, and churches will organize. Even if one cannot attend any of these events, BAJP hopes that on the night of Sept. 11 you light a candle with your loved ones and in your own way remember all the victims of war and resolve to work for peace.

    War no more.

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