STATEMENT ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 TERRORISM

For Immediate Release
September 21, 2001

MULTICULTURAL COALITION CONDEMNS TERRORISM
Asks leaders to speak out against scapegoating immigrants, and ethnic and religious minorities

Washington, DC — The National MultiCultural Institute, and the Multicultural Coalition, unequivocally condemn the violent acts of terrorism that shook New York City and Washington, DC on September 11, 2001. We offer our condolences to all those who have been touched by these events and our profound thanks to the countless rescue workers who have been tirelessly risking their own lives and health to try to find survivors in the burning rubble. The perpetrators of the crimes must be held accountable. Terrorism cannot be allowed to control our lives and manipulate our society.

Faith based groups, civic organizations and communities are coming together to talk about the values and strengths we believe in and share as a nation. Our citizens have exhibited enormous bravery and kindness to strangers during this crisis. This should make us all proud.

Sadly, because of the fear, anxiety and sense of vulnerability unleashed by these terrorist acts, we are seeing a growing number of calls for vengeance against innocent Americans who may look Muslim, foreign or unassimilated. Members of many ethnic groups are feeling unsafe and threatened by random insults, harassment and threats to their person. Many of these Americans have fled their countries to escape from the same terrorist groups that attacked the U.S.

We are a diverse society that prides itself on being respectful and tolerant of differences. This openness was as much a target of the terrorists who attacked us on September 11, 2001, as was the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the White House and our sense of security.

Let us not inflict more hurt and pain on citizens who are already feeling blamed and vulnerable. If we engage in acts of violence against convenient scapegoats we allow terrorists a victory.

President Bush, Attorney General Ashcroft, Secretary of State Powell, and Mayor Giuliani, among others, are to be commended for their forthright condemnation against scapegoating. We call on all our political and civic leaders including members of the media to continue to speak out forcefully and repeatedly against these actions. Our diverse society has made us strong; we must not let our fear and anger be our undoing.

MULTICULTURAL COALITION
American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
American Public Health Association
American Psychological Association, Division 45
ASPIRA
Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum
Asian Self Help Association, Baltimore Chapter
Association of Indians in America
Campaign Consultation
Collaborative Solutions Group, Denver, CO
Diversity Leadership Forum
Federation of Indian American Associations, National Capital Area
Fusion Partnerships, Inc.
JLH Associates
Indian American Forum for Political Education
National Immigration Forum
National Indian Council on Aging
National Latino Council on Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention (LCAT)
National MultiCultural Institute
Network of Educators on the Americas (NECA)
Organization of Eritrean Americans
Papa Ola Lokahi
Poverty & Race Research Action Council
Seeking Common Ground, Denver, CO
Wisdom Works, Inc.
Others

Contact: Liz Salett
National MultiCultural Institute
202-483-0700 (ext. 224)
Email: Salett@nmci.org; Web: www.nmci.org