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Peace Action, its members, grassroots affiliates and chapters, and
national staff have played a key role in not only stopping (for now) the
president’s proposal to attack Syria, but demanding real alternatives and
solutions based on serious multilateral diplomacy, adherence to domestic and
international law and massive humanitarian aid. The people of Syria, and the
region, need these things, as well as an arms embargo and a cease-fire, more
than they need cruise missile attacks.
While the immediate threat of an attack has passed and hopes for
diplomacy are high, there is still a serious threat that the administration and
Congress may soon come back with a “compromise” resolution which could authorize
a U.S. attack if diplomatic efforts to secure and disarm Syria’s chemical
weapons don’t bear immediate fruit.
The best counter to that is the following from Senator Joe Manchin of
West Virgina on MSNBC Tuesday night after President Obama’s speech: “Military
might is not what defines a superpower. You have to have super patience. You
have to have super negotiating power and diplomatic resources. And you have to
have super humanitarian aid where needed. We have the possibility of doing all
of that.”
Peace Action initiated an ad hoc national coalition back in June,
when few groups were working on Syria, to generate a petition drive, public
education and organizing resources and pressure on Congress. While other issues
were a higher priority for most organizations and activists at the time, this
groundwork paid off handsomely in the last few weeks as the threat of a U.S.
attack grew.
In addition to collaboration with this national coalition of peace,
labor, faith-based and community organizations, the mobilization in just the
last few weeks by our network of Peace Action chapters and affiliates from Maine
to California – vigils, protests, congressional pressure and getting our message
out in the media - has been extremely impressive and effective.
Of course, as a grassroots organization, we can’t do anything without
your help. Early next week we’ll get back with you on the next steps regarding
Congress, as we’ll all need to remain vigilant to not only stop an attack but
offer real solutions to resolve the horrible civil war in Syria.
This is also an opportunity to offer our vision of a more
sustainable, peaceful, democratic and just U.S. foreign policy, which has become
too heavily militarized.
Humbly for Peace,
Kevin Martin
Executive Director
Peace Action
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