Dear Governor Spitzer,
September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows supports the human rights and dignity of all human beings. Indeed, it was the stereotyping of our loved ones that forever changed our lives on September 11, 2001. While we want justice for the murder of our family members, we are working toward effective policies that address the root causes of terrorism and prevent terrorist activity.
Today, we are deeply troubled that 9/11 is again being used as a means to justify legislation which unfairly targets immigrants and jeopardizes the privacy of United States citizens. This legislation includes provisions that were sticken from the final Conference Report of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 because they do not address the intelligence failures that led to 9/11. These controversial measures equate immigrants with terrorists. They will not make America safer, because 9-11 was largely a failure of intelligence, not immigration law. We further believe that this legislation will impede the security iuntiatives that would prevent terrorist attacks in the future and divert funds to invasive and ultimately useless programs.
It is our hope that America’s principles and Constitutional protections will continue to apply to those who have come to our country fleeing persecution and torture; that we can come together with compassion for our fellow human beings, those less fortunate than ourselves, seeking a better life for their families and the privileges of citizenship we enjoy as an accident of birth. We urge you to take a stand against this law and help lead the nation in opposing it. New York must not be instrumental in implementing legislation that betrays all of our deepest values and convictions.
Thank you for considering our views.
Sincerely,
September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
