Peace groups discourage revenge, make a plea for peace

The United States' military action in Afghanistan has upset several groups at Penn State.

Peace Works, a group composed of about 20 core members and a list-serve of about 200 students, was formed after Sept. 11. Organizer Jesse Durst said those events served as the catalyst for the group.

Students for Peace ‘Points of Agreement’

Grieving for those affected by tragic events of September 11 and unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attacks.

A demand that the nation seek justice rather than retribution, to avoid further killing of innocent people.

A plea to the government that our precious civil liberties be guarded.

Discouragement of those wishing to “point the finger” at one group as a possible cause, when numerous factors could have led up to this tragedy.

Opposition to the backlash against Arab-Americans and Muslims.

"The events of Sept. 11 cannot be justified. They are absolutely horrendous and despicable," Durst said.

"However, if you look at third world countries, many are rightly or wrongly angry at the West and anger is the starting point of terrorism," he said.

The group, which was involved with the rally for peace held on the steps of Old Main on Sept. 28, is planning more events in the following weeks to help raise awareness for its plea for peace.

The group is planning a trip to a rally in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 27, the International Day against War and Racism, Durst said.

In addition, it is planning a candle light vigil and an alternate solutions workshop designed to help raise awareness of other ways to deter terrorism.

Another local group beginning to speak out is Students for Accountability and Reform. The group, like Peace Works, also is a loose coalition of students that has a large mailing list, said co-founder Martin Austermuhle.

"We are trying to get people to understand why the terrorist attacks happened," Austermuhle said.

The group, which has pushed for the release of Penn State's investment portfolio, was also involved with the rally for peace.

Austermuhle said the group might be writing a letter to Congress in response to the new anti-terrorism legislation.

Pax Christi, a Catholic peace and justice organization, has also been involved with the local peace movement.

The group was a cosponsor of the rally for peace and will also be having a speaker on the Iraqi sanctions, said President Zebulon Bartels.

Another group that has shown concern following the terrorist attacks is the Islamic Society of Central Pennsylvania. Members "support the government's action against world terrorism and reaffirms its condemnation of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11," according to a statement from the group last week.

The group said in the statement that it is "particularly grateful for the President's compassion and humanitarian efforts for the Afghani people along with other initiatives and fully supports his efforts to deal with the causes of terrorism."