About Inter-University Coalition
Since the beginning of the war, over a year ago, many of us have kept quiet. We have awaited, with hope but also with trepidation, the outcome of a military conflict that seems to have no end in sight; the search for weapons of mass destruction that, apparently, do not exist; the investigation of ties between the Saddam Hussein regime and the Al-Qaeda terrorist network that, it seems, are a fiction; the attempt to establish a rule of law in Iraq, now undermined by revelations of widespread torture of Iraqis by the occupying forces; the quest for a broad alliance against terrorism, now undermined by the loss of American prestige and influence abroad and the rising anger of Muslims around the world. Through it all, we have observed the mounting loss of human life – the lives of Americans, the lives of those who have fought alongside us, and, most numerous of all, the lives of Iraqis.
The way forward is not clear and we do not purport to offer specific remedies for the present morass. Even so, we feel it is time to express our dismay – publicly and in no uncertain terms – over the destructive actions taken by the Bush administration in Iraq and elsewhere in the world. Unless a halt is called to this unilaterist, America-first, shoot-first-and-talk-later approach to foreign policy, our present difficulties will only multiply. There will be more deaths to our name, more bodies to bury, more unrest to pacify.
Over the past few months we have met on Wednesdays at noon in Harvard Yard to commemorate those who have sacrificed their lives, willingly or unwillingly, in the course of the misdirected and misconceived action in Iraq. We hope to call attention to the tragedy of these deaths, and of those that will follow if the present course of U.S. foreign policy is maintained. As a way of consecrating these lives, and preventing further loss of life without justifiable cause, we have gathered together to speak with one another and then to bear these names on our person – one person to a name – as we walk, silently, across the Yard. We find this sober form of protest appropriate to the tragedy now unfolding before us.
Now, it is imperative that we broaden the scope of this action for peace. Thus, we launched commemorations at other campuses around the Boston area on Wednesday, at noon, on September 22, 2004, that will also continue every Wednesday thereafter until such time as this crisis has passed.
The cumulative effect of these coordinated protests will be difficult for the Boston media to ignore – and, if successful, may serve as a model for universities, churches, and community associations across the country. It was only a few short decades ago that a nationwide movement, led initially by students, helped put an end to an immoral and ineffective war against another supposed threat. It is time to begin a nationwide movement to end this war – a war begun with calculated lies, pursued with a reckless disregard for human life, and destined to end with an increase in terrorism directed against Americans and against the values that we hold dear. We hope you will join us.
Click on a link below to find out more about localized activities:
