|
Greens Condemn Attacks in Egypt Monday, July 25, 2005 Contacts: TULSA, OK. -- Green Party leaders at the party's national meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma condemned the bombings in Egypt early Saturday, and expressed sympathy for those whose family members were killed or were themselves injured in the attacks. "The Green Party condemns all acts of violence in support of political aims," said Gwen Wages, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States, who noted that the attacks appear calculated to target tourists and their families. Greens said that the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq have resulted in increased support for groups willing to kill civilians for political purposes, and noted that countries with open borders, such as Egypt, are especially vulnerable to attack. "Egyptian leaders have exploited the attacks to restrict personal freedom and justify torture of suspects," said Rebecca Rotzler, Co-Chair of Green Party Peace Action Committee and Deputy Mayor of New Paltz, New York. "Political opposition has been crushed in the name of security, with opposition leaders have been imprisoned, tortured, and killed. Such a response only motivates further violence." "Middle Eastern and African countries are paying a steep price for the American occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq," added Peggy Lewis, co-chair of the national party. "People who support a nonviolent response to the invasions are being pressured and intimidated by those who favor violent tactics. We're losing an irreplaceable opportunity to support those striving for human rights and multiparty democracies in countries such as Egypt." MORE INFORMATION
|