This week, the American organisations MoveOn, an internet-based network of 600,000 grassroots political activists, and Alternet, a non-profit organisation supporting independent journalism, released an open letter to Europe from US citizens opposed to their governments policy toward Iraq. In just the first day, the letter had been signed by tens of thousands of Americans.
We have written this letter for three reasons. First, we want the people of Europe to know that millions of Americans are fighting the Bush administrations attempt to defy world opinion and invade Iraq. While we understand how many of us there are, we are concerned that the US media gives the impression to those outside America that our country is united behind Bushs reckless plans. This is not so.
Second, we want Europeans to know how deeply many Americans appreciate their firm stand for peace. Your energy and commitment inspire us to redouble our own efforts, today and tomorrow. But it is more than that. Because a war on Iraq will inevitably cause further terrorist attacks on Americans, we know that, if this war can be stopped, some of us may literally owe you our lives.
Third, we have written this in the hope that Europe and the world will remember what a large, complicated and beautiful country America is. While we have (arguably) elected George W. Bush, we have also produced leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. While Thomas Jefferson owned slaves, he also wrote the Declaration of Independence. We ask you not to give in to the temptation of indiscriminate opposition to America. Always remember how many of us are your allies, and how many more could be.
We encourage anyone who wishes to circulate this letter widely by email. We also hope that as many publications as possible will choose to print it, and that rally organisers will decide to read it aloud at the demonstrations this Saturday, 15 February 2003.
American readers wishing to sign the letter can do so at moveon.org/openletter. Anyone who has comments about the letter or this article may contact Jonathan Schwarz. Publications that wish to carry it are asked to send notifications to the same address.
