LETTERS
No. 220, Apr. 3-9, 2003

Unnecessary force and international solidarity
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Propaganda and pink
go to letter

A view of the war from Morocco
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‘Zionism’ is a loaded word

Editors, Asheville Global Report,

In response to Mr. Brodsky’s letter to the editors of AGR (#218, “’Cheap pot-shots’ undermine AGR coverage”):

You define Zionism as “the belief in a Jewish homeland, nothing more, nothing less.” I do not agree with this statement. Even according to my unabridged American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language and my Webster’s New World Dictionary, Zionism refers specifically to Israel/Palestine. Your assertion is irresponsible. Zionism is a loaded word — loaded with a disgraceful history. The term is extremely subjective. Although there is certainly a growing movement of people who do believe in an Israeli state alongside a Palestinian state — the folks from Tikkun etc., seeking a middle ground — the right-wing settlement supporting Jews of Israel have glaringly imposed their agenda in the name of Zionism. To a Palestinian, Zionism equals oppression (backed by US$$).

Mr. Brodsky, language is powerful; it derives action, and you can’t denigrate this word to fit your argument. You may not like the way AGR has used the word, but the reality is that the word carries the weight of all that has been done in its name.

Jennifer Lapidus

Marshall, North Carolina

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Unnecessary force and international solidarity

Editors, Asheville Global Report,

I am a 57-year-old grandmother who was arrested at the anti-war demo last week [Mar. 20]. As a veteran of 25 years of activism, I have to say that the Asheville police went beyond the term “unnecessary force” in their attempts to intimidate marchers. I personally witnessed at least six people brutally slammed to the ground for various “offenses” like stepping off the curb into the street or saying “That’s stupid” to a police request. Who strategized this enforcement pattern and what do they hope to gain? Is this how we want our public servants to respond to legitimate dissent? When we say that we don’t want our young folks to be apathetic, is this how we foster civic engagement?

I’m seriously disappointed with the broader Asheville community for not taking to the streets. Everywhere in the world, people are expressing solidarity with the anti-war movement. I can’t help but think that if there had been more “ordinary” folk on the march, the police would have behaved better. Young people are an easier target and may have more difficulty organizing an effective response due to lack of money, etc. I encourage anyone who was at the march or saw the news or heard about it; who sees their responsibility to speak up because we were marching for them too; I encourage those folks to write to their city council members, their city advisory boards, the newspapers, the police, what have you, to create more public discussion on dissent in Asheville and the role of enforcement in our community. The police response was not acceptable.

Fierce peace,

redmoonsong

Asheville, North Carolina

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Propaganda and pink

Editors, Asheville Global Report,

I feel like a propaganda puppet. I have strong beliefs about the world, yet when I watch a report or read an article, I think, “I can understand that point of view.” This coming from both sides of the fence, be it, why we are at war or why we should not be at war. I get frustrated that it is hard for me to take a firm stand. In the end, whether I believe Saddam should be “dethroned” or not, I believe in always giving peace a chance.

I wrote to a friend the other day that I feel there is not much I can do about the war situation. That the world has a story to tell and all I can do is read it. But I cannot allow myself to believe this. I am not much of an activist, but I went to my second peace rally Saturday at Pritchard Park thinking that, if nothing else, my presence alone helps support the peace effort. The last one I went to I had a feeling that a small number of people there would protest anything. Protesting for the sake of protesting. So I went a step further and made a sign to define my own views. “Citizen of the World — hometown: United States” and “God/Spirit,... bless ALL your children — Celebrate Diversity.” This made me feel that at least I was protesting in my own voice.

I enjoyed the information given at the rally by the member of your staff. It helped to make my stance more steadfast. It is intelligent and precise information like this that I think needs to be put in the spotlight to help shift the balance. Yet I must comment on something I saw at the rally that takes away from this. Not overshadowing it, but distracting from it. And it wasn’t even the guy across the street preaching bible quotes that had nothing to do with the situation at hand. It was these “guys in pink”. My feeling was they were there more to bring attention to themselves. How can people driving by take anyone seriously, looking as such, no matter what their sign says? This is a serious matter and I want to reemphasize the need for serious participation such as you provide and say to supporters like the pink guys that we need more constructive methods to express our view and cause.

This is all, and again, thank you for helping to shift the balance.

Scott A. Sands

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A view of the war from Morocco

Editors, Asheville Global Report,

I am writing this letter from Rabat, Morocco. I am writing home so that people might get a little glimpse of how the war is viewed from here. What I have seen is people losing their respect for the USA. There are frequent demonstrations in support of Iraq and her people. People view the war as an aggression against a country and her people. One of the saddest things I have seen is a little boy on television saying that he hated America because it is killing the children of Iraq. There are many pictures of Iraqi wounded and the places which have been destroyed, which include some homes.

Since the attack began, the TV stations often air the statements from Iraqi officials and Saddam Hussein. I believe that the war has given their words greater respect and strength. People listen more to them and see the US and Britain as liars. There is increased police and army presence in the streets and around government buildings. The people are very critical of what they see as the various Arab countries governments’ inadequate response to the situation.

When visiting my friend Aziz’s cousin, she said to me, “I’m sorry, but I am telling all my friends to boycott American products.” People do not see any justification for this war. They believe that it is a war for political power and control of the region and its oil.

Cicada Brokaw

Rabat, Morocco

[Cicada Brokaw is an Asheville, NC resident currently traveling in Morocco.]

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