People's Democracy

THE terrorist attacks that killed and wounded thousands of innocent people on September 11 are crimes that call for universal, worldwide condemnation. At this writing the toll of dead and wounded is not known but it is certain to number in the thousands --- the deadliest terrorist attack ever.

The Communist Party USA expresses outrage and profound sorrow at this horrendous assault. We unequivocally condemn terrorism in all its forms.

We extend heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims including the thousands of office workers at both the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon and those who died in the crashes of the four planes. We mourn the rescue workers, hundreds of whom died in the line of duty, in the collapse of the World Trade Centre buildings. Amid the carnage and the horror, they displayed uncommon courage and self-sacrifice as they struggled to save the wounded and dying.

The people have responded generously, from ironworkers in their hardhats, who raced to the scene to help search through the piles of rubble, to the doctors and other medical workers who worked through the day and night, to the thousands across the country who lined up to donate blood. We urge that everyone who can, participate in such efforts.

This tragedy has traumatised the nation. The people understandably are in a state of shock and anger, and are coming together to mourn, just as we were united in sorrow after the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

We must guard against a rush for military reprisals even before the perpetrators are known and apprehended. There are calls for more military spending, more intrusive surveillance, both at home and abroad, and curtailment of democratic rights. Innocent Arab people, both at home and abroad and immigrants across the US, face a danger of racist and xenophobic attacks. We call on the Bush administration and all state and local authorities to take measures to guarantee everyone’s safety. The danger is that the cycle of violence will spiral out of control with more death and destruction.

This moment calls for calm, not hysteria; initiatives for peace, not war; democracy, not repression. This crisis must be answered by a united world community of all nations and peoples. The goal must be multilateral political solutions that eliminate the causes of violence and promote a just and equitable world, the best and only true memorial to those who have died.