DPJC Position Statement
Dallas Peace & Justice Center Decries U.S. War on Iran
NO WAR AGAINST IRAN
The Dallas Peace & Justice Center condemns Israel's unprovoked attack on Iran.
Israel’s illegal attack on Iran is a deliberate attempt to distract the global community from its unlawful occupation of Gaza, the illegal bombing and occupation of Syria and Lebanon, and to deflect the negative global condemnation that has been directed towards Tel Aviv.
At a time when Israel is facing international reproach for its brutal violations of the rules of war, assault on human dignity and rights, and heavy-handed carnage on Gaza, the attack on Iran is yet another display of Israel’s impunity and refusal to abide by universal rules and norms.
We urge President Trump to deliver on his promise of no more wars in the Middle East and immediately put into place mechanisms that will prevent U.S. support for Israeli military adventurism.
Wars are easy to start but extremely difficult to end. Americans are weary of any further U.S. military entanglements in the Middle East.
According to the latest polls, the majority of Americans do not want the U.S. to get involved in a war against Iran. President Trump must bear upon Israel to stop the provocations against Iran and return U.S. diplomats to the negotiating table.
DPJC Position Statement & Call to Action!
On the interception of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla
The Dallas Peace & Justice Center unequivocally decries Israel's interception of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla's boat, the Madleen, in international waters and the kidnapping of human rights activists attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.
See the report from Col. Ann Wright (ret.) -- Freedom Flotilla Coalition Steering Committee member, seasoned flotilla boat passenger, captain of the 2016 Women’s Boat to Gaza, and longtime friend of the DPJC -- in this coverage by Democracy Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z88GBdkmgm0
PLEASE CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS NOW to condemn this miscarriage of justice and disregard for human rights! Tell them to denounce the attack on the Madleen, end military aid to Israel IMMEDIATELY and demand that they STOP BOMBING GAZA and STOP STARVING CHILDREN! The Capitol switchboard can connect you; just give them the name of your senator/congressperson: (202) 224-3121.
#gazaflotilla #stopbombinggaza #stopthegenocide
DPJC Position Statement
On the New Orleans Tragedy
The Dallas Peace & Justice Center is dismayed, appalled and saddened by the tragic events of January 1st that occurred on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, yet another tragic occurrence of random violence against humanity by an individual unable to resolve conflict in a nonviolent manner.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we taught our children and ourselves ways to resolve conflict in a safe and nonviolent manner? Yes, conflict is a necessary part of life, it gives us the opportunity to learn and grow, and it does not have to be violent.
Dallas Peace & Justice Center recommends each and every one of us start a discussion with our school boards, with our elected officials, with our places of worship, with our neighbors, to start teaching nonviolent conflict resolution in our schools. What a great exposure to our children, to give them the opportunity to learn and practice kindness and loving ways to live together on this planet.
DPJC encourages everyone to help promote programs such as Nonviolent Communications (NVC) and Connection Practice. We hope you will join in our efforts to resolve this tragic problem. Thank you for raising your voice.
DPJC Position Statement
On the Release of Julian Assange
The Dallas Peace and Justice Center celebrates the release of Julian Assange from prison. The Australian editor, publisher, and activist created the whistleblower platform WikiLeaks in 2006 to provide a means for people to anonymously expose wrongdoing to the public.
After exposing war crimes and human rights abuses, such as the infamous “Collateral Murder” video, Assange has faced years of persecution, exile, and captivity, including the last 5 years in London's Belmarsh Prison.
The DPJC thanks its members and activist community who, throughout the years, have supported Assange, petitioning the government for his release, raising public awareness online and in person, distributing thousands of educational materials, and often demonstrating in public with the message, “TELLING THE TRUTH IS NOT A CRIME.”
Indicted by the Trump administration, a plea deal with the current DOJ was finally reached, providing for Assange’s release and return to his native Australia. We are grateful that he will now be able to rejoin his family and friends and we wish them well.
DPJC Position Statement
On the Escalation of Hostilities in the Middle East
The Dallas Peace & Justice Center strongly condemns the US attacks on multiple countries in the Middle East. President Biden has used his presidential powers to attack other countries without any authorization from Congress. The President does NOT have the powers to bomb other countries that do not pose immediate and clear danger to the United States of America.
The US has continued the policy of bombing and threatening the countries in the Middle East despite no longer being dependent on oil from that area. The “forever wars” being waged by the US have destabilized the entire region. Multiple countries such as Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen have been devastated by the aggressive policies of the US and its partners. Since 2001, hundreds of thousands of civilians have been killed or injured and civilian infrastructure has been bombed to smithereens. Millions of people have been displaced and sought refuge in other countries, including EU countries. The entire Middle East needs peace and investment in civilian & human capital.
The US needs to focus on bringing peace to the unfortunate region. Calling for a ceasefire in Gaza is the demand of the region and majority of the world. The genocide must stop. The US must stop sending arms, bombs, and military hardware to the region. Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank need food, water, medicines, hygiene supplies and mercy from the world. The US must help bring a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and Palestine, help free the Israeli and Palestinian hostages, and urgently start negotiations for the formation of an independent and viable Palestinian state.
DPJC Position Statement
Dallas Peace and Justice Center Statement on the Israel-Hamas Conflict
The Dallas Peace and Justice Center is devastated by the tragic violence and warfare unfolding in Israel and Gaza. We mourn the deaths of thousands and our hearts break for all those who have lost loved ones and for those who have been injured, their lives changed forever.
We unequivocally condemn the unthinkable massacres and hostage-taking carried out against Israeli civilians by Hamas – horrific actions that cannot be justified by moral compass or international law. We call on Hamas to release all hostages, immediately and unharmed! The killing of civilians is always a war crime.To say that this situation was unprovoked, though, would be to deny the facts. The ongoing and current violence is a result of the world's longest military occupation since the Second World War. The inhuman blockade of Gaza for the last 16 years has been condemned as a war crime by international organizations, including the UN. According to United Nations Watch, since 2015, the UN General Assembly has adopted 140 resolutions criticizing Israel, many over its treatment of the Palestinian people. This round of violence is one of many that have erupted over the decades due to the occupation of Palestinian lands, creation of settlements, abuse of human rights, and other forms of oppression.
We call on the Israeli government to end the blockade of Gaza and provide humanitarian organizations safe passage to deliver much-needed aid and urgently needed supplies. We urge Israel to control the armed settlers in the Occupied West Bank, end land-grabs and the creation of settlements, and allow free and secure movement of Palestinians. We advocate for human rights for all humans, including equal rights for Israelis and Palestinians.
We strongly urge all parties to de-escalate from violence and war-making. The only path forward for a better future in the Middle East is through peaceful means. We call on the United States to take immediate, concrete steps to help establish a ceasefire and diplomatic efforts towards peace, rather than arming the Israeli military and enabling the Israeli government to mount disproportionate retaliation, including massive bombing campaigns, against the already-beleaguered Palestinian population.
The Dallas Peace and Justice Center strongly believes that the security of Israelis and Palestinians lies in a peaceful and just settlement of the 75-years-old conflict. Never-ending war is not the solution, especially at this crucial time when, instead of raining down havoc on people and the planet, we should be joining hands to fight against the existential threat of our real, common enemy: Climate Change!
Mourning the Death of Daniel Ellsberg
Featured image "Daniel Ellsberg (1931-2023)", oil on canvas, by Caitlin Johnstone
We at the Dallas Peace and Justice Center mourn the death of Daniel Ellsberg, a hero of the anti-war and anti-nuclear movements. We celebrate his courage to risk his own freedom by exposing government secrets about the war in Viet Nam, and by continuing to speak truth to power. He joined us at Camp Casey to protest the illegal invasion of Iraq, and was a familiar face in DC and at events across the country, working tenaciously to advocate for peace and nuclear nonproliferation. He never hesitated to "go to jail for justice" in order to shine a light on the causes, costs, and dangers of war, inspiring us to stand up and take effective action as well.
We'll miss you, Dan. Rest in peace. Your power lives on.
We're moved to share with you this image and piece by Caitlin Johnstone, honoring Daniel Ellsberg, as well as those of YOU who give of yourselves for peace and hope for a future.
Let's carry the torch forward! Visit Caitlin Johnstone's Tribute Here