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The following statement of conscience and the names of the
signatories was published in the
Daily News on March 19, 2005.
Not In Our Name
As the war in Iraq enters its sixth year, let it not be said that the people in the United States silently acquiesced in the face of this shameful violation of international law. No election, whether fair or fraudulent, foreign or domestic, can legitimize criminal wars on foreign countries, torture, or the wholesale violation of human rights.
In our name, the Administration of George W. Bush used false pretenses to justify the invasion and occupation of Iraq, which brought unspeakable destruction, horror, misery and death to as many as 1,000,000 people.
In our name, the current administration holds in contempt both international law and world opinion.
This administration has casually discarded such core constitutional principles as the separation of church and state, due process, presumption of innocence, freedom of speech, and habeas corpus.
We grieve for all the victims of this debacle and support those in our community and our military who have resisted this immoral war and the unconstitutional incursions into the civil rights of American citizens, immigrants, and prisoners alike.
We pledge to create communities that support courageous acts of resistance. There is no telling what further crimes this government will try to commit in our name against nations or individuals deemed impediments to its goal of unquestioned world supremacy.
It is our duty to stop the Bush regime from carrying out this disastrous course. We believe history will judge us sharply should we fail to act decisively.
And who are we? We are people of different religious faiths as well as of no particular faith. We represent no particular political party, but join with individuals worldwide committed to justice for all peoples and nonviolent resolution of conflict. We invite you to say with us,
NOT IN OUR NAME.
Adapted from the National Not In Our Name statement, www.nion.us.
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