Statement by Coalition of 100 Black Women

STATEMENT BY COALITION OF 100 BLACK WOMEN October 2001 We, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, an organization of African American women dedicated to advocacy that assembled in Philadelphia , PA, in commemoration of our 20th anniversary, hereby issue this resolution. Expressing our sympathy with the tragic loss of life on September 11, 2001. Declaring our hope that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. Being ever mindful ofthe historic erosion ofcivil liberties by our government in communities ofcolor, both here and abroad. Acknowledging the persistent practice oflinking race to crime suspicion as evidenced in the internment ofJapanese Americans duringWorld War II, the categorization ofcivil rights activities as threats to national security, and, more recently, racial profiling of African Americans and other people ofcolor. Recalling our contributions as African American women to the struggle for equity, peace, and liberation. Recognizing the dangers of patriarchy that all women face and that armed conflict disproportionately affects women and children; affirming the importance of women's voices from all classes in establishing a multinational, multiracial, and multiethnic dialogue toward global justice. Celebrating the courageous stance ofCongresswoman Barbara Lee in being the only representative not to abandon constitutive responsibility in refusing to authorize an open-ended war with neither an "exit strategy or a focused target." Recognizing the Congressional Black Caucus' role as the voice ofthe African American constituency in addressing the particular consequences ofthis war both in terms ofloss ofcivil liberties and loss ofcritical resources for education, enforcementofcivil rights, and other important social programs. [Meridians:feminism, race, transnationalism 2002, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 281-2]©2002 by Wesleyan University Press. All rights reserved. 281 We therefore resolve to: i. Commend Congresswoman Barbara Lee of the ath congressional district for her courageous stand and steadfast commitment to democratic values. 2.Abhor the terrorism to which she has been subjected because she exercised her constitutional responsibility. 3.Encourage African American women to adopt a race/gender/ class analysis on all programs and proposals connected to the recent crisis. We demand that the Congressional Black Caucus resist all efforts to undermine the civil liberties that have been so critical to our survival as a people and to their very presence as elected representatives. We stand in solidaritywith Afghan women and women throughoutthe world whose very violent survival hinges upon a nonviolent solution to global conflict. Adopted Saturday, October 6", 2001 282 NATIONAL COALITION OF 100 BLACK WOMEN ...