9/11 Families Group Announces Support for Islamic
Cultural Center in Lower Manhattan
http://www.peacefultomorrows.org/article.php?id=977
New York - Today, September 11th Families for Peaceful
Tomorrows, a nationwide group founded by family members
of those killed on 9/11 issued the following statement,
which may be attributed to their spokesperson, Donna
Marsh O'Connor:September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows stronglysupports efforts to bring an Islamic Cultural Center to
lower Manhattan, near the Ground Zero site. We believe
that welcoming the Center, which is intended to promote
interfaith tolerance and respect, is consistent with
fundamental American values of freedom and justice for
all.
We believe, too, that this building will serve as an
emblem for the rest of the world that Americans stand
against violence, intolerance and overt acts of racism
and that we recognize that the evil acts of a few must
never damn the innocent.
To arrange an interview with a member of September 11th
Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, please contact David
Lerner or Shonna Carter, Riptide Communications,
212-260-5000 (dlerner@riptideonline.com or
shonnac@riptideonline.com ).
September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows is an
organization founded by family members of those killed
on September 11, 2001. Currently comprised of over 200
families, the group advocates nonviolence and adherence
to the rule of law in the pursuit of justice and
accountability.
Our Mission
Peaceful Tomorrows is an organization founded by family
members of those killed on September 11th who have
united to turn our grief into action for peace. By
developing and advocating nonviolent options and
actions in the pursuit of justice, we hope to break the
cycles of violence engendered by war and terrorism.
Acknowledging our common experience with all people
affected by violence throughout the world, we work to
create a safer and more peaceful world for everyone.
Our Goals
1. To promote dialogue on alternatives to war, while
educating and raising the consciousness of the public
on issues of war, peace, and the underlying causes of
terrorism.
2. To support and offer fellowship to others seeking
non- violent responses to all forms of terrorism, both
individual and institutional.
3. To call attention to threats to civil liberties,
human rights, and other freedoms in the U.S. as a
consequence of war.
4. To- acknowledge our fellowship with all people
affected by violence and war, recognizing that the
resulting deaths are overwhelmingly civilian.
5. To encourage a multilateral, collaborative effort to
bring those responsible for the September 11, 2001
attacks to justice in accordance with the principles of
international law.
6. To promote U.S. foreign policy that places a
priority on internationally-recognized principles of
human rights, democracy and self-rule.
7. To demand ongoing investigations into the events
leading up to the September 11, 2001 attacks that took
the lives of our loved ones, including exhaustive
examinations of U.S. foreign policies and national
security failures.
[A core group of 200 family members directly affected
by loss on September 11th have joined our group, and
thousands of supporters have joined our mailing list.
Our family members live in 31 states and seven foreign
countries. In accordance with our bylaws, our
co-directors and steering committee members are also
9/11 family members.]
