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23rd September 2001 Public statement on terrorist acts in the USACopy of public statement sent to the media Dear friends We would like to offer the views of Bristol Quakers as events seem to slide towards military action. We have been deeply shocked by the horrific acts of terrorism in the USA: our hearts are with those who suffer and grieve. We have also been moved by the following statement made by Quakers in Washington within twenty four hours of the attacks: War is not the answer. The people who committed these acts struck with hatred. They saw the people in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the aircraft as faceless enemies. They denied the humanity of their victims. The US must not commit the same sin by compounding the hatred, violence, and injustice of these attacks with its own acts of terror and war against another people, most of whom are innocent of these crimes. On both sides of the Atlantic Quakers have always argued against the practice of war in whatever circumstances. We call on the British Government to use its friendship with the United States to work for justice rather than vengeance. The only way to gain a real and lasting victory over terrorism must be to return acts of inhumanity with humanity: to show love, compassion and understanding where there is hatred and anger. Yours in peace and friendship Ben Barman |