9/11 Families Mourn With the Families of Victims of the Colorado Mass Murder
New York, July 22- The following statement may be attributed to September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows.
As family members of those lost in the attacks of 9/11/2001, we mourn with those who lost family members and dear friends on 7/21. We understand the days ahead will be filled with the horrors that come from the endless retellings of the stories of that horrific night. We offer our love and prayers as they work through complex emotions as they move forward from this heart-rending event. We hope for each of them, as for each of us, that healing emerges as they remember with love those who were lost and make of this great tragedy greater love.
For the members of our organization the escalating violence on our nation saddens us immensely. It reminds us that attacks similar to those that claimed our loved ones continue. In the years following the attacks of 9/11 our streets and our cities have become more dangerous as the ever present threat of violence becomes yet another public tragedy. There is no hope for peace for any of us as long as weapons and the rights to bear them overshadow our concerns for fundamental human needs.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Honoring Father Michael Lapsley: Save the date for an important event to celebrate the launch of the memoir by Father Michael Lapsley Redeeming the Past: My Journey from Freedom Fighter to Healer on September 21 at 12:30pm-2:45 pm at the UN Church Center (777 First Avenue at 44th Street, NYC). In his memoir, Father Lapsley outlines his strong stand against apartheid for which he became the victim of a letter bomb attack in Zimbabwe. He founded the Institute for the Healing of Memories which works with individuals and communities in healing through reconciliation and forgiveness.
Due to increased security during the opening of the General Assembly, all attendees must RSVP to ihomna@gmail.com in order to be admitted.
PT NEWS:
Summer of Peace: PT endorses all Summer of Peace activities. Please click here for the complete Summer of Peace schedule of activities. You can also visit the Summer of Peace website to see what other activities are planned. The scheduled calls are ongoing and available for 48 hours online after they take place. Many of PT’s friends are among the presenters: Kathy Kelly of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, Marina Cantacuzino of The Forgiveness Project and Mel Duncan of the Nonviolent Peaceforce, among others.
Rule of Law Campaign: PT members Colleen Kelly, Rita Lasar, Valerie Lucznikowska and Terry Rockefeller met with the director of the ACLU National Security Project, Hina Shamsi and other ACLU staff members on July 19. The discussion focused on the upcoming trials to be held at Guantanamo Bay, and included issues such as constitutional rights, torture, censorship of information, and opening the trials to public view. For further details about the meeting please contact colleen@peacefultomorrows.org.
International Network for Peace (INP): INP Chair, Jo Berry, will be coming to the U.S. in November. PT members are trying to meet with her at a facility in the Boston area and hope that we will be able to videoconference you into the discussion. Once we have determined a date and place for the meeting, we will inform you.
Social Media: We continue to post events and commentary on facebook and twitter. Even if you don’t use facebook you can see the responses by clicking on the facebook link located at the top right corner on our homepage.
