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Iraq Veterans Against the War has become About Face: Veterans Against the War. About Face can be found at aboutfaceveterans.org

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Iraq Veterans Against the War Statement on Orlando Massacre

published by IVAW National on 06/16/16 4:55pm
Posted to: 
Staff

We grieve for those who lost their lives Sunday morning in a bigoted, hate-fueled attack in Orlando, Florida. People - mainly Latinx and Black people - were targeted and killed simply because they were members of the LGBTQ+ community celebrating at a gay club in Orlando. It is a terrible tragedy to lose them, and we send our deepest condolences to their families, including chosen families, and the community of Orlando. Our profound grief, however, must not be fuel for more war.

We refuse to let the answer to homophobia be Islamophobia, hate, and further erosion of our civil liberties. To truly honor those lost, we must remember that our country’s recent mechanisms for securing “safety” in times of attack have meant an escalation of state violence and unjust treatment of LGBTQ+ communities and communities of color. To echo the eloquent words of a fellow veteran, Chelsea Manning, "We are not safe and secure when the government uses us as pawns to perpetrate violence against others. Our safety and security will come when we organize, love and resist together."

We see the media’s sleight of hand. Last week, they said Muhammad Ali transcended religion and race, while this week they made the perpetrator of the Orlando attack into the mouthpiece for all of Islam. The responsibility for Sunday’s massacre lies not with a religion practiced by 1.6 billion people but with Omar Mateen and with the politicians, religious leaders and pundits who continue to push an agenda of homophobia, militarism, racism, and hate. We offer our love and support to the Muslim people, including Muslim queers, and to the queer community around the world.

As veterans, we will not allow this tragedy to beget more tragedies, nor allow this attack be an excuse for continuing a never-ending war that escalates into yet more death overseas whether that comes from U.S. arms and armies or U.S. supported nations. We must welcome refugees fleeing violence, often created by U.S. policy makers. We must receive Muslim families into our communities and respect the religious pluralism that is the fabric of our society. We must always be proud of our queer communities, who have lead the way against patriarchy, war, and senseless violence.

We are called upon to meet tragedy with compassion, to meet violence with peace, and to meet hatred with love. As veterans, we call on the best parts of humanity to end the cycle of violence, reject and oppose hate, and work together towards a world in which no parent buries their child killed by senseless violence.

*****

If you are looking for a way to contribute in this painful time there are a number of ways to do so, here are just a couple of suggestions:

  • Donate to the following fundraiser to the victims and families of victims of the Pulse attack organized by Muslim communities nationwide. This fundraiser is meant for Muslims and their allies: https://www.launchgood.com/project/muslims_united_for_victims_of_pulse_s...  
  • Contribute to Southerner on the New Ground (SONG) an powerful queer & trans liberation organization based in the South that has been holding down important work: https://song.ourpowerbase.net/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=2

IVAW and Afghans for Peace Lead Historic March on NATO: Veterans Hurl Global War on Terror Medals towards NATO Summit As Thousands Cheer

Like our work? Donate now to our growing movement. Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans, hand-in-hand with Afghans for Peace, made history this Sunday when we led a march of thousands against NATO then returned our Global War on...

Convention 2012: Save the date!

Everyone, This year's IVAW annual convention will be held July 5 - 8, 2012 in Austin, Texas. Save the date! Based on the positive feedback from the 2009 convention in Maryland, we have reserved McKinney Falls State Park...

On the Ground in Basra: An Interview with Hashmeya Muhsin al-Saadawi

May 2, 2012 - Iraqi unions demonstrated yesterday on May Day 2012 at a difficult historical moment. Still operating without a labor law that sanctions their organizing, and under the consolidation of Prime Minister Nouri al-...

This is Where We Take Our Stand

This is Where We Take Our Stand is now broadcasting on PBS. Check your local listings, and if it's not on, let your local station know you want to see it. Follow the film at http://www.thisiswherewetakeourstand.com. In March...

Arredondo Family Mourns Death of Second Son

Dec 22, 2011 - IVAW is deeply saddened to learn about the death of Brian Arredondo, son of Carlos and Melida Arredondo. Brian chose to end his life on December 19th, the day the Iraq war ended. Veterans for Peace reports, "...

IVAW Recognized on The Nation's 2011 Progressive Honor Roll

Dec 21, 2011 - (New York) Iraq Veterans Against the War is excited to be recognized in The Nation's 2011 Progressive Honor Roll today as the "Most Valuable Rapid Reponse" to the Scott Olsen incident at Occupy Oakland....

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