WAR ON THE HORIZON

Call for the Asian community to stand up against War and to stand together in solidarity with our Arab, South Asian, and Muslim sisters and brothers in the face of racist violence.

The Asian Left Forum wishes to express its deepest sorrow to the thousands of people who lost their lives and to their many families and friends. We condemn the acts of violence against innocent people and mourn the loss of human life after 9.11's tragic events.

Asians in this country know much about bloodshed, war and violence. In our recent history, many Asian peoples, e.g. in the Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, India, Pakistan, China, and Japan, have experienced the tragedy of war, where just as in the destruction of the World Trade Center, innocent people suffer most. Therefore, the Asian Left Forum firmly opposes war and militarization both domestically and internationally.

In the aftermath of this tragedy, people need to reflect on why this happened. Why now? What role does the US play outside this country to be targeted in this way? The answers to these questions most likely lie in US foreign policy, both military and economic. But instead, America is caught up in a frenzy of hatred, revenge, and violence. We see the President and Congress using this incident to promote blind reactionary patriotism to a country that has caused the deaths of so many innocent people all over the world.

 The Asian Left Forum condemns the increasing incidents of anti-Arab, anti-South Asian and anti-Muslim violence and scapegoating, as well as the warmongering media that fuels it. This has already caused the violent death of one member of our community, an Indian Sikh man who was mistaken for a Muslim, and countless attacks on other Arab, South Asian, and Muslim men and women. This is the same racist and xenophobic hatred that caused Americans of Japanese ancestry to be herded into concentration camps during WWII, resulted in the lock up of Wen Ho Lee, and questioned the integrity of Chinese Americans after the spy plane incident. These are attacks on all immigrant communities. We will not be held responsible for the tragedy that took place on 9.11. We stand strong in solidarity with our Arab, South Asian, and Muslim sisters and brothers who are facing daily threats to their physical safety.

 We oppose all bombings, retaliatory measures and acts of War initiated by the US government. War is not the solution. The US government itself and its imperialist policies need to take responsibility for the loss of lives from 9.11's events. For many people throughout the world, including those living in this country, the US does not symbolize freedom or liberty but rather bloodshed and suffering. The US supports terrorism throughout the world and its imperialist policies are at the root of anti-American terrorist acts. In fact, the person the US is trying to blame for 9.11's attack, Osama bin Laden, was trained and funded by the CIA during the US-Soviet Union conflict over Afghanistan.

We oppose any COINTELPRO-like repression against political activities for those of us truly fighting for peace, justice, and equality. This incident should not be used as a justification for militarizing the borders, increasing surveillance upon us, or denying us any of our political rights. We condemn any move to repress genuine people's liberation struggles during this heightened call against terrorism.

 We call for all communities to organize and take a proactive stance against violence both in and outside of the US. We urge you to join the movement against war and for global peace and justice. We must prevent the escalation of bloodshed.

ENDORSED BY
1. Asians for Mumia/Jericho Network -- New York
2. Filipino Workers' Association (FWA) -- Bay Area
3. Philippine Information Network Services (PINS)
4. Anakbayan -- Bay Area
5. First Quarter Storm Movement -- Northern California
6. Asians & Pacific Islanders for Community Empowerment (API FORCE) -- Bay Area
7. JamaeSori -- Bay Area

Asian Left Forum
P. O. Box 28811
Oakland, CA  94604
Phone: 209-254-9895
Email at: info@asianleftforum.org