The Center for Civic Engagement and the Institute for Peace Studies invites you to a special presentation:
In Our Son’s Name
Since the attacks on New York and Washington DC on September 11, 2001, the U.S. has been waging a global war on “terrorism” that has expanded over the years and appears to have no real limits. As part of the peace studies course War, Peace and the News Media, we will examine how the peace movement has been represented in the mass media, from the earliest days after 9/11 to today.
Wednesday, April 11th 6:30-8:30pm – Room 026 Breslin Hall – Hofstra University – South Campus
Featuring Phyllis Rodriguez, co-founder of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows.
Mrs. Rodriguez is a native New Yorker whose son perished in the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Greg, age 31, worked in IT for Cantor Fitzgerald in the North Tower.
Despite their grief, Phyllis and her husband, Orlando, realized the political ramifications of such extreme violence, and spoke out early opposing military reprisals against Afghanistan on September 15. Their letter, “Not In Our Son’s Name,” circulated widely on the internet and was soon picked up by a prominent peace activist. They were then connected with about twenty other victims’ families who, also, had publicly stated their belief in non-military responses to this crime by Muslim extremist individuals, not governments. In January 2002, several of the future founding members of Peaceful Tomorrows went to Afghanistan to meet with widows and children, victims of US bombs. With the idea to foster support – real and political – for civilian victims there, and for an end to the military incursions by the U.S., they formed September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows on Valentine’s Day, 2002.
As part of the presentation, we will view the 2017 documentary In Our Sons Name.
