FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:

Judith Le Blanc

Communist Party USA

917-806-8775 – voice

212-989-4994 x251 – voice mail

212-229-1713 – fax
jleblanc@cpusa.org
www.cpusa.org

A Tragedy for All Humanity

New York, New York, September 12—The terrorist attacks that killed
and wounded thousands of innocent people Sept. 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 Center 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 Center 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 traumatized the nation. The people understandably

are in a state of shock and anger, and are coming together to mourn

just as we 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 U.S. 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.

# # #

For additional information or a sample copy, contact:
Judith Le Blanc
Communist Party USA
917-806-8775 – voice
212-989-4994 x251 – voice mail
212-229-1713 – fax
jleblanc@cpusa.org
www.cpusa.org

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