Quotable

"War is the greatest threat to public health." - Gino Strada, Italian war surgeon and founder of the UN-recognized Italian NGO Emergency

Friday, April 19, 2013

Boston Marathon Bombing: Statement by Massachusetts Peace Action

Dear Friends,

The recent bombing in Boston has elicited a huge response from every corner of government, media and the society as a whole.  This is a critical time, even as events continue to unfold, that we all take a step back to take a breath and reflect before speaking or acting.  Massachusetts Peace Action has issued a statement in response to the Boston Marathon bombing and aftermath that is worthy of our attention.

In Peace,

Leonard

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Massachusetts Peace Action shares in the sadness, appreciation, restraint and solidarity shown by President Obama, Governor Patrick, faith and civic leaders, and neighbors in the face of the violence at Monday’s Boston Marathon and during the days following.

There is sadness for those killed and injured, for the families whose lives have been scarred, and for the culture of violence, here and abroad, that leads to such senseless acts.

There is appreciation for first responders, including Boston peace activist Carlos Arredondo, whose courageous actions saved lives and modeled how all of us should respond in times of crisis.

There must be restraint, as the facts of the violence emerge -- especially toward individuals and communities who are too often blamed or implicated in acts of political violence. We call on our leaders and the media to be especially careful in the days to come.

Finally, there is solidarity; Boston has seen the face of the violence that is a daily reality for civilians in Baghdad, Afghanistan, Somalia and other places wracked by the impact of militarism.

In the days and months ahead, we commit to helping our community heal, connect and create a culture of peace.