March 29, 2024
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Peace group urges halt to Afghanistan attacks

BANGOR – On Wednesday, the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine sent the president three copies of a petition to end the “cycle of violence.”

A copy of the petition, bearing more than 1,200 signatures from throughout the state, was given to U.S. Rep. John Baldacci and Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.

The petitioners want to “bring those responsible for terrorist attacks to justice while ensuring more innocent lives are not taken in an escalating cycle of violence; protect innocent Arabs and Muslims [and those assumed to be of such backgrounds] from racist attacks; defend civil liberties while promoting security; and work for long-term peaceful solutions by addressing root causes of violence.

“Seven million innocent people could die of starvation in Afghanistan,” said Peace and Justice Center program coordinator Ilze Peterson. “The bombing must stop to get them food. We have to make sure a major human catastrophe doesn’t take place.”

The group will continue candlelight vigils at the federal building in downtown Bangor from 5 to 6 p.m. each Tuesday, said Peterson.


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