September 11 Anniversary
• Reject the U.S. War on Terrorism! Defend the Rights of All!
September 11 Anniversary
Reject the U.S. War on Terrorism!
Defend the Rights of All!
On this sixth anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, we join all in mourning the deaths of that day — and in mourning the many hundreds of thousands of deaths of the Iraqi people, Afghanistanis, Palestinians, all those worldwide who have faced the brutal onslaught of the criminal U.S. war on terrorism. This war has shown itself to be unjust and illegal, a war of genocide and state terrorism against the peoples. It has solved no problem and made many worse, both at home and abroad. It is being used to eliminate rule of law and the vital principles and standards humanity has achieved for international relations and conduct by governments. Torture, pre-emptive war, genocide, massacres, elimination of due process, opening the way for police to be nothing but spies and instigators of violence against the people — all are being imposed by the U.S. imperialists. We call on all Americans to reject the U.S. war of terrorism and step up efforts to unite with all those worldwide standing up for rights. Security lies in this resistance of the peoples and in building up internationalist relations of mutual respect and benefit, based on defending the rights of all.
It should come as no surprise that President George W. Bush had no speeches for this day and instead spent his time discussing with Congressional leaders how to escape the failure in Iraq. Here too, the rulers have no solutions. The rulers and thus their political parties cannot abandon their foothold in Iraq, needed to conquer Asia, and they cannot keep it either, they cannot subdue the valiant Iraqi people. While both Congress and the President have made Iraq the front line in the government’s war of terrorism, the Iraqi people are showing that they will not submit to occupation. Americans are taking their stand with the Iraqis and against the government, demanding All U.S. Troops Home Now! The large majority remain firm in their demand to end the war now and recognize that bringing all U.S. troops home is an important step toward real security, for the peoples abroad and here at home.
While Bush continues to try and use September 11 to justify war against Iraq, neither he, nor Democrats are fooling people any longer. Indeed, it is likely that the jets scrambled in Washington D.C. on the anniversary, making passes close to the ground, only reminded people 1) that there were no jets scrambled on September 11 when they were needed and 2) now they are being used to terrorize the people and make sure everyone knows how complete the militarization of life has become. And just to drive home this reality, the military command established for use against the people inside the U.S., USNORTHCOM, is conducting drills for martial law in October. And the New York Police Department released a report calling on police departments to abandon law enforcement and target individuals and collectives — based not on crimes committed, not on any terrorist act or plans for them, not even on probable cause, but on a belief, by police, of “potential intent.” The government has already unleashed impunity on a broad scale and these latest plans make clear that it is now open season on all.
Bush also had no programs or funds for the thousands of firefighters and other first responders and volunteers who made heroic efforts September 11 and now suffer from asthma, other chronic lung diseases and cancer. These illnesses come from working in the toxic dust and waste the government said, at the time, was “safe.” This reality, like the militarization, also illustrates just what the government means by “protecting” Americans — taking advantage of peoples’ humanity and readiness to sacrifice, poisoning them and then throwing them away like so much garbage. Certainly treatment of veterans, NYC firefighters, Katrina survivors, the millions impoverished by this system, all show the complete failure of the government to meet the most basic needs of the people.
Humanity is ready to move on and fighting to move on. U.S. imperialism and its war on terrorism are standing in the way. The imperialists are denying the call of history — their time is up. They are not fit to rule. They are threatening yet more tragedies, the darkest reaction. They are unleashing their blatant racist quality. It can come as no surprise that six years since September 11 we have seen more open government racism and genocide both against peoples abroad and against Katrina survivors.
But the peoples are rejecting these crimes and demanding that the direction of society be changed. They are standing up to say we have rights, we will not be divided, we will not be used against each other, whether for war abroad or at home. Security does not come from the government and its use of force. It comes by defending the rights of all and resisting every effort to negate these rights.
It is essential to step up the organized resistance by all collectives, workers, women, youth, national minorities, and to be vigilant and resolute in marching forward. The times are calling for the new, new arrangements, new governments, a new world that defends the rights and interests of all humanity. Let this sixth anniversary be a time for all to join and advance this struggle for a bright future.
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