VFP Statement on Orlando Shooting
We at Veterans For Peace express our deep condolences to the families who have become victims of the horrific tragedy that took place Sunday night in Orlando, Florida. We join with peace-loving people everywhere in grieving this senseless loss of life. Despite many recent legal recognitions of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and queer( LGBTQ) people‘ s rights and positive changes in social attitude in the U. S., this tragedy is a reminder of the violence that the LGBTQ community continues to experience. It is also not lost on us that this horrific tragedy occurred during LGBTQ Pride month, which this year coincides with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a time of peace and intense self-reflection. It pains us to see that these periods of joy, celebration, and peace have been marred so violently with such horror.
Tragedies like this often lead people to look for someone or something to blame. Veterans For Peace rejects attempts to perpetuate hatred against the LGBTQ and Muslim communities. We ask all to resist this temptation. We call on all people to challenge the forces of division and hatred, and to stand against all forms of hate; and at this time particularly against homophobia, Islamophobia and anti- Muslim bigotry. Let us instead recommit ourselves to working toward a world without hatred and prejudice.
Mass shootings have become all too common. After each incident we search for answers in many places. As a nation, in order to find answers that will help create the change we seek, we must accept that this horrific event is one link in a now long chain of tragedies of wars, hate, violence and fear. We must work to end violence both at home and abroad.
Transportation and communication have made our global home smaller. Emotions, ideas and information travel at the speed of data into our homes and over our phones. We can no longer ignore the fact that what happens in communities thousands of miles apart affects billions of people. Wars abroad take a toll on families and communities here in the U. S. Therefore, we must work for peace at home and abroad. We cannot have one without the other. They are inextricably linked. We must begin to question all who attempt to divide us. We must reject those who teach that somehow the ― Other ‖ is stealing our jobs or conspiring against us, because of our religion, our sex, the color of our skin or our freedoms. We must reject that violence is the solution.
If you are ready to make a difference, it is time to get off the violence merry-go-round. Join peace, labor and justice groups or any group that is working for peace, justice, equal rights and the global environment for a sustainable future. We must put forth a greater effort to transform our society. Let us work for a world where everyone is valued, people‘ s basic needs are met and human dignity is recognized.
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peace is justice in action, and justice means addressing injustice everywhere, including here at home. So we have to believe and work in the framework of peace at home peace abroad. Those of us who say we are in the peace movement cannot end war alone. We must join together with domestic issue movements, develop a vision of a new future and narrative we can all believe in. When enough of us believe peace is possible and work to bring it about at home and abroad; we will have peace.
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late May in response to white supremacists targeting an Islamic Center in Dallas.
Nate Terani, a veteran of the U. S. Navy and the first Muslim American member of the Navy Presidential Honor Guard, joined VFP in direct response to the increase hatred against Muslims within our society. An Iranian- American and member of VFP, Nate had already anchored the joint VFP-IVAW team who confronted Donald Trump in Arizona.
In the hours after the attack in Orlando, both Ramon and Nate were on the ground in Dallas and Phoenix ensuring that Veterans were on the front lines combating hate. To show VCI ' s support for the local Muslim community, Jake began bringing care packages to local mosques.
Along with being proactive about hate in our society, the project aspires to build a broad base of veterans, reaching out to traditional veterans organizations. We seek to use our credibility to encourage more conservative audiences to confront their Islamophobia. VCI is fully funded through November.
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