AFSC News Release
September 13, 2001

AFSC Urges Americans to Work Together for Peace
Says "No More Victims," justice and healing, not retaliation

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) today announced it would launch a No More Victims campaign to help support victims and survivors of the Washington, D.C., New York City and Western Pennsylvania tragedies. Its No More Victims campaign is also designed to educate the public about finding peaceful solutions in the face of these terrible acts of anger and hatred and the suffering they caused.

"Our hearts go out to the thousands of victims of these horrible acts of violence and we recognize and share the grief and sorrow felt by the entire country, if not the world. We join in the hope that those who planned and orchestrated these despicable acts will be brought to justice under the rule of law," stated Mary Ellen McNish, AFSC general secretary.  "Yet it is important to recognize that in this time of grieving that we cannot react in haste by scapegoating the innocent. We must not repeat the mistakes of the past by unfairly targeting those whose only guilt may be that they look like or share a similar-sounding name, religion or ethnic background with those whom we perceive may be the cause of this suffering."

"We have to break the cycle of violence and retaliation," McNish emphasized, promising to organize and partner with like-minded organizations for public action, including peace vigils, speaking engagements and identifying ways to help heal the scars from this terrible tragedy.

Seeking God's love and light at this time, and offering a place of solace for all who need one,  a public Meeting for Worship will be held at the

Fourth and Arch Street Friends Meetinghouse in Philadelphia on Thursday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m.  All faiths are welcome. Also, a blood drive will be held on September 27 & 28 at the Friends Center, 15th and Cherry Streets in Philadelphia.

AFSC also encouraged Americans to reach out to Arab and Muslim communities, many of whom are being unfairly targeted and made scapegoats when they, as individuals, have done no wrong against this country or its people. In addition, the organization announced that it would encourage staff in its 22 offices throughout the United States to work with their local Red Cross to establish blood drives when they are most needed.

Donations may be directed to AFSC No More Victims and mailed to AFSC/Development, 1501 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102. To contribute via Visa or Mastercard, call 1-888-588-2372, ext. 1. For more information on the blood drive, call the AFSC at (215) 241-7000.

FCNL Ten"Talking Points"
The United States Response to the
September 11th Attack: If Not Military
Force and War, Then What?

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) opposes the use of U.S.military force in response to the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.  Inevitably, the use of military force will place at risk the lives of innocent civilians who had nothing to do with the attacks of September 11th and most of whom are already suffering from oppression and poverty.  The use of U.S. military force will only givethe people who committed these crimes what they want. Scholars and analysts suggest that one of the prime motivations for the attacks was likely a desire for a strong U.S. military counter-reaction.  A U.S.-led war in Central Asia will reinforce for many in the region the perception that the U.S. cares little for