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‘I oppose this war’

Shana M. Levy Berkeley
Thursday June 20, 2002

To the Editor, 

I just came from the "Not in Our Name" peace rally at MLK park in Berkeley. I took public transit from Alameda to attend. My intent was to join with others in protesting the protracts "War on Terrorism." (As Sonoma county author and activist, Shepherd Bliss, has said this is "as undeclared war, waged by as unelected president against an unknown foe for an undefined about of time with nearly unlimited resources.") I oppose this war. 

However, I was disappointed and distressed to find that this protest had been combined (by design or accident, I do not know) with a pro-Palestinian rally. I found myself unable to join in the march as I cannot support a movement committing violent acts against civilians almost daily, even in the name of peace. 

I would like to see another march, the organizer of which restrict themselves to the former cause only (against the "War on Terrorism.") I suspect the turnout would be much more robust and the message to the media and public at large more clear. 

Shana M. Levy 

Berkeley