FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2003
STATEMENT FROM FEBRUARY 16 ANTI-WAR COALITIONS REGARDING RABBI MICHAEL LERNER
We would like to clarify the misunderstanding regarding Rabbi Michael Lerner's perception that he was "banned" from speaking at the peace rally. His charges are untrue, and we wish to set the record straight.
As the Bush Administration continues its relentless drive toward war, the mass mobilizations in cities around the world on the weekend of Feb. 15-16 have taken on great significance. Millions of people are expected to demonstrate in cities around the world in what may be the last opportunity to stop a new war on Iraq before it starts.
In the San Francisco Bay Area, four coalitions -- each comprised of many organizations and individuals -- have come together to sponsor a broad and united anti-war march and rally on Sunday, Feb. 16. The four coalitions -- Bay Area United Against War, Not In Our Name project, United for Peace & Justice, and the International A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) Coalition -- have been working together successfully for the last several weeks to maximize the turnout on Feb. 16.
One of the first agreements that was made between the groups organizing the Feb. 16 anti-war protest was that none of the coalitions would propose rally speakers who had publicly attacked or worked to discredit one of the coalition groups. When members of the Tikkun Community, who have actively participated in the organizing meetings for Feb. 16, suggested to Bay Area United for Peace and Justice that it propose Michael Lerner as a speaker, it was explained by members of UPJ that since he had publicly attacked A.N.S.W.E.R. in both the New York Times and Tikkun community email newsletters, his inclusion in the program would violate the agreement among the Feb. 16 organizing groups. At that time, Tikkun representatives expressed that it would not be a problem if Michael Lerner was not proposed as a speaker.
It was this issue, Michael Lerner's public attacks against one of the anti-war coalitions, that resulted in his not being formally proposed as a speaker on Feb. 16. His views on Israel and Palestine had nothing to do with it. Within the anti-war movement, there is a wide spectrum of diverse and opposing views regarding Israel and Palestine, which will be expressed on Feb. 16. To reiterate, the fact that Michael Lerner was not invited to speak on Feb. 16 was not the consequence of a "veto" by the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition. None of the coalitions have veto power over the Feb. 16 program.
We strongly abhor all forms of racism and bigotry, including anti-Semitism. At the same time, we don't believe that criticism of Israeli government policies should be labeled as anti-Semitism any more than criticism of U.S. government policy should be labeled as anti-American.
On the eve of a terrible war, we call upon everyone to join together in making Feb. 15-16 a massive and powerful statement for peace and justice. We're heartened by the broad range of participation that is developing for Feb. 16, including within the Jewish community, and invite one and all to join with us in our efforts to stop the war on Iraq.
Issued by: Bay Area United Against War, International A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) Coalition, Not In Our Name Project, United for Peace and Justice