NOW Calls for Peace

A Statement of the Nation NOW Board on 4/5/2002

As feminists we endorse peaceful resolutions to international conflicts. We acknowledge that acts of war perpetuate and escalate violence.

We are deeply alarmed by the Bush administration's expansion of the military industrial complex. We decry the percentage of our national budget that is being used to grow our military and taken away from much-needed social programs. Further, we believe that past and proposed acts of military aggression are antithetical to the current administration's stated goal of promoting peace both at home and abroad.

NOW opposes the Bush administration's escalation of violence in response to terrorism. We further acknowledge that US actions and statements in response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks have directly impacted the escalation of violence in the Middle East and impede our country's ability to help find a peaceful solution.

We call on our nation's leaders to work to end terrorism by addressing its roots, including religious extremism, intolerance, hate, and economic oppression.

We also call upon our country's leaders to plant the seed of peace by being champions of equality and justice and by working to eradicate poverty around the world and in the United States. NOW recommits ourselves to electing leaders who come up with creative solutions to difficult international problems instead of resorting to violence.

We pledge to remain faithful to NOW's historic commitment to peace even in the face of popular opposition.

~ Deborah Glenn-Rogers