[R-G] Stand Together To Defend the Rights of All

[solrde]

http://usmlo.org/archive/2002-12/06-38-11.htm
Voice of Revolution - September 20, 2002

STATE TERROR IN LACKAWANNA

Stand Together To Defend the Rights of All

- The Lackawanna Discussion Group, September 18, 2002 -

Voice of Revolution is posting below a statement by the Lackawanna
Discussion Group (LDG) issued on September 18 as people from Lackawanna, New
York and area peace and social activists gathered at the Federal Courthouse
in Buffalo, NY to stand against collective punishment as a crime of terror.
The LDG, initiated and led by women from Buffalo and Lackawanna, has been
active in organizing to defend the rights of all, especially among women and
minority youth. They publish a community bulletin in both English and
Arabic.

* * *

The Lackawanna Discussion Group (LDG) vigorously opposes collective
punishment of the Lackawanna community and fully supports and is working to
assist the community at this time of heightened insecurity. The LDG went
into action in the Buffalo area to mobilize others who are deeply concerned
about the attacks on the Lackawanna community to come with us, door to door
in the community, so that everyone knows that the people stand together
against these unjust attacks.

In going door to door, the LDG assured all those spoken to, of all
nationalities, that people of Buffalo stand with Lackawanna and will not
remain silent or passive in the face of these attacks. We also distributed a
"Know Your Rights" pamphlet by the National Lawyers Guild alerting people
that it is best not to speak with the FBI and that this is their right.

In talking with residents about their concerns, people reported that the FBI
and police have been raiding homes in the Lackawanna community, breaking
down doors, surrounding them with guns, barricading whole blocks and then
interrogating people house by house, photographing young children and
putting the photos into their databanks, terrorizing women, young and old in
their homes, and more. This constitutes state terrorism against innocent
civilians and cannot be accepted. The FBI and police have no right to target
the entire community and no right to brand people guilty. Anyone arrested is
innocent until proven guilty.

The FBI has said that the "public investigation" has just begun. This means
we can expect many more people to be interrogated, threatened, targeted as
"potential supporters" of terrorism, etc. This means we must take action
ourselves to defend our rights. The greatest security for the community
comes through united action on the part of all. We think continued mass
actions are important. We pledge to mobilize the support of others
throughout Buffalo for this.

Collective punishment is unjust and a crime of terror.
Oppose it now! Let all stand together so no one stands alone.
Defend Lackawanna Against Attacks. Defend the Rights of All.



Joshua