Dear Friend:
Many of us in America are doing everything in our power to
change our
government's policy toward Iraq. However, we fear this war cannot be
stopped without the strong support of the people of European nations.
government's policy toward Iraq. However, we fear this war cannot be
stopped without the strong support of the people of European nations.
AlterNet.org, MoveOn.org and other organizations are
sponsoring a
letter/petition asking our friends in Europe to stand in solidarity
with us against the Bush administration's push to make war on Iraq. A
compiled petition will be presented to citizens and media in European
capitals representing the feelings of support from people in the U.S.
letter/petition asking our friends in Europe to stand in solidarity
with us against the Bush administration's push to make war on Iraq. A
compiled petition will be presented to citizens and media in European
capitals representing the feelings of support from people in the U.S.
Unity among the countries of the world can help us avoid
this war and
the terrible spiral of violence that could engulf the Middle East,
the United States and the world.
the terrible spiral of violence that could engulf the Middle East,
the United States and the world.
Please join me in signing this letter/petition,
at:
Here's the text of the letter:
We, the undersigned citizens of the United States of
America, are
writing to ask for your help.
writing to ask for your help.
We are already grateful for your principled opposition to
our
government's misguided and dangerous policy toward Iraq. Despite the
deceptive claims of the Bush Administration and the poor coverage of
the crisis by our media, huge numbers of Americans have evaluated the
facts for themselves and join with you to oppose our government's
drive toward war.
government's misguided and dangerous policy toward Iraq. Despite the
deceptive claims of the Bush Administration and the poor coverage of
the crisis by our media, huge numbers of Americans have evaluated the
facts for themselves and join with you to oppose our government's
drive toward war.
Like many of you, we believe that war will not lead to
future peace
in the Middle East but to more violence and death -- not just in Iraq
but eventually throughout the region, as well as in the United States
and across the globe. With you, we believe that war will not bring
about the liberation of the Iraqi people but visit upon them even
greater catastrophe than in the past.
in the Middle East but to more violence and death -- not just in Iraq
but eventually throughout the region, as well as in the United States
and across the globe. With you, we believe that war will not bring
about the liberation of the Iraqi people but visit upon them even
greater catastrophe than in the past.
We are doing everything within our power here in America
to change
our government's policy. However, we fear this war cannot be stopped
without strong opposition from the nations of Europe.
our government's policy. However, we fear this war cannot be stopped
without strong opposition from the nations of Europe.
We, and the rest of the world, therefore look to you for
support in
this daunting task we share.
this daunting task we share.
We ask that you attend the antiwar rallies this Saturday,
Feb. 15 in
London, Paris, Berlin, Istanbul, Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Warsaw
and other cities across Europe. An overwhelming turnout in the
streets will show your governments and the world that Europe says no
to preemptive war. Before and after the demonstrations, write, speak
out and protest in every way possible.
London, Paris, Berlin, Istanbul, Rome, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Warsaw
and other cities across Europe. An overwhelming turnout in the
streets will show your governments and the world that Europe says no
to preemptive war. Before and after the demonstrations, write, speak
out and protest in every way possible.
We ask also that you demand that your governments support
the
French-German initiative for additional inspections. If your
government currently backs the Bush Administration, make it clear
that they should withdraw this support. If your government is
standing against the Bush Administration, make it clear that you
support their actions and call upon them to stand firm.
French-German initiative for additional inspections. If your
government currently backs the Bush Administration, make it clear
that they should withdraw this support. If your government is
standing against the Bush Administration, make it clear that you
support their actions and call upon them to stand firm.
Finally, we ask that, when the threat of war recedes, you
join
together with us in non-violent efforts to help the long-suffering
Iraqi people in their struggle for democracy and freedom.
together with us in non-violent efforts to help the long-suffering
Iraqi people in their struggle for democracy and freedom.
After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, we were
deeply moved
by Europe's messages of sympathy and support. Those of us who visited
the sites of the attacks in the weeks that followed will always
remember the comfort we took in the letters posted nearby sent from
your families to ours.
by Europe's messages of sympathy and support. Those of us who visited
the sites of the attacks in the weeks that followed will always
remember the comfort we took in the letters posted nearby sent from
your families to ours.
Today, we need your unity more than ever -- or we fear
that Sept. 11
will be only the beginning of a terrible spiral of violence that will
engulf the Middle East, the United States and the world.
will be only the beginning of a terrible spiral of violence that will
engulf the Middle East, the United States and the world.
However, we believe this frightening vision of the future
need not
come to pass. As former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower, who was
Commander General of the Allied Forces in World War II once said, "I
like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to
promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want
peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out
of the way and let them have it."
come to pass. As former U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower, who was
Commander General of the Allied Forces in World War II once said, "I
like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to
promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want
peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out
of the way and let them have it."
Let this be the moment when the people of the world, for
the first
time, truly come together to force our governments to give us peace.
Please stand with us on February 15 and in the future, as we stand
with you.
time, truly come together to force our governments to give us peace.
Please stand with us on February 15 and in the future, as we stand
with you.
