WOMEN IN BLACK


We stand in silence, because words alone cannot express the tragedy that wars and hatred bring.
We stand in black, mourning for lives broken or lost through violence in the United States, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine/Israel, and in all wars.
We stand in witness to the suffering of victims of violence all over the world.
We stand in solidarity with people all over the world who struggle for justice and peace.
We stand convinced that the world's citizens can learn the difference between justice and vengeance, and can call world leaders into accountability to employ nonviolent means to resolve conflicts.
All Women are welcome to stand silently with us any Thursday, 5-6pm, at Westlake Park, wearing black/dark clothes. Men in support of Women in Black are welcome to leaflet or to stand in a group beside the women’s vigil.
We stand for justice.
We stand for peace.

logo from New York Women in Black
adapted from Belgrade Women in Black

Seattle Women in Black is part of an international network of women standing in silent vigil, calling for peace, justice and non-violent solutions to conflict. Started in 1988 by Israeli/Palestinian women, it has spread to conflict areas all over the world. Each group is autonomous, but related to the others in the way women stand in silent vigil dressed in black.
For more information: please visit seattlewomeninblack.pbwiki.com
or email seattlewomeninblack@speakeasy.net




“… I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states…Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. Never again can we afford to live with the narrow, provincial ‘outside agitator’ idea.”
~ Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Letter from a Birmingham Jail
Our national conscience

The Iraqi refugee crisis is, by all accounts, one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world today.

Americans are typically generous, resourceful and quick to respond to humanitarian needs. So, when nearly ¾ of Americans state that they feel the war was a mistake, we also know that

* Americans are united in their remorse for the damages inflicted on innocent civilians.
* American are united in our willingness to take responsibility
* America’s national conscience will unite us, in every state, to help repair the damages done in our name.
The US spends $341.4 million dollars per day on the war in Iraq
If we divide that amount equally among all of our 50 states, your state's portion is 6.8 million dollars every day

Iraqis have paid a high price, too. Almost 5 million Iraqis have become displaced - that's about 1 of every 5 Iraqis. If an equal percentage of US citizens were displaced, 60 million of us would be homeless.
Civilian deaths in war is euphemistically called “collateral damage”. Displacement as a result of war can also be considered collateral damage.
Please contact The Collateral Repair Project at www.collateralrepair.org or call 206-781-9559 for information about a fundraising party on July 12 here in Seattle.