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The Green Party of the United States Contacts:
Nancy Allen, Media Coordinator
207-326-4576, nallen@acadia.net
Scott McLarty, Media Coordinator
202-518-5624, scottmclarty@yahoo.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Green Party of the
United States urges President Bush and other U.S. leaders to continue
condemning the harassment and blame of Arabs and Muslims in the U.S. or
around the world in the wake of the terrible events of September 11.
"Our message is that, in our grief, we must not lash out at
innocent people," said Anita Rios, a member of the party's national
steering committee and an Ohio Green.
"Arabs and Muslims are among the many thousands of people who have
joined the heroic rescue, medical, and relief efforts," said Dean
Myerson, of Colorado, political coordinator for the Green Party.
"Almost certainly, some were among the victims of the
attacks."
"Greens have sharply criticized Mayor Giuliani's policies in the
past, but we thank him for speaking so early and forcefully against the
harassment, which, unfortunately, seems to be increasing. President Bush
and other elected officials must assert that it will not be
tolerated." Greens also praised the strong warning delivered on
Monday by FBI chief Robert S. Mueller against hate crimes leveled at
Arabs and Muslims.
"Violence begets violence and hate begets hate. If we allow this
hate crime to inspire others crimes of hate, the criminals who
perpetrated the attacks will have won," stated Jane Hunter,
Communications Chair of the Green Party of New Jersey.
Groups like the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and Arab
Anti-Discrimination Committee have expressed condemnation of the attacks
and sympathy for the victims. Greens join American Muslims and Arabs in
condemning "the irresponsible reporting that twists the realities
and complexities of the Muslim world in order to project only
anti-American sentiment" and "warning against opportunists who
will exploit
the misery and hysteria of the public in order to promote a political
agenda aimed at tarnishing the name of Islam and Muslims" (MPAC
briefing, Tuesday, September 11, 2001).
The International Center of Bethlehem <http://www.annadwa.org>
reminds us that, despite some recent media images, most Palestinians,
including President Yasser Arafat, and Palestinian organizations have
deplored the attacks and expressed sympathy for the victims and for
Americans. Muslim commentators have
stressed that Islam is a religion of peace and that last Tuesday's
attackers are a tiny minority of radicals who do not represent Muslims
around the world.
"We are sickened at how Arabs and Muslims are being scapegoated and
are targets for violent and hateful attacks" said Starlene Rankin,
Illinois Green Party Media Coordinator. "We encourage Americans to
participate in the many community forums being organized by Greens and
other progressive groups around the country. We need to grieve and vent
and discuss the real consequences of the use of violence to solve
problems."
Green Party 2
"These were acts of terrorism," added Dean Myerson, "but
they should not be an occasion to mistreat people because of ethnicity,
nationality, or religion, or for violations of international law."
"The Green Party, which proudly ran the first Arab-American
candidate for President of the United States bears a special obligation
to denounce this kind of prejudice." Ralph Nader is the child of
Lebanese immigrants.
Meanwhile, the Green Party of the United States notes that many Greens
from the New York City metropolitan area may have lost loved ones,
friends, and co-workers in the destruction of the World Trade Center,
and expresses sympathy and condolence for them along with all others who
have been affected by Tuesday's attacks. The party honors Greens and
their supporters everywhere who have assisted the rescue and medical
efforts.
"This is personal," said one Green Party member who lives in
New York.
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