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News Release

THE AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE MOURNS THE LOSS OF QUAKER PEACEMAKER

Philadelphia, March 13 – The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) expresses heartfelt grief and dismay at the loss of Tom Fox, a Quaker who was a member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams currently held captive in Iraq.

Our deepest condolences go out to the family. A member of the Langley Hill Friends Meeting in McLean, Virginia, Tom’s strong belief in nonviolence led him to seek a tangible way to help create peace in the world. In Tom’s own words he urged no violent retribution for his death, but instead encouraged us to “forgive those who consider us their enemies.” He believed that: “in loving both friends and enemies and by intervening nonviolently to aid those who are systematically oppressed, we can contribute in some small way to transforming this volatile situation.”

We renew our appeal to the captors for the safe return of the remaining team members: Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Sooden.

As a Quaker organization, we believe that no one is our enemy; ours is a witness of love and compassion – a belief that the light of God shines in us all. Nothing could or will ever be gained by threatening harm with weapons or retaliation.

We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, even as we are continuously grieved by the pain and suffering that countless Iraqis have endured during ten years of immoral sanctions prior to the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003. In the past three years of war, thousands of Iraqis have been kidnapped for ransom or political gain. Tens of thousands more have been killed as a result of the on-going violence.

The Christian Peacemaker Teams continue to maintain a nonviolent public witness to the despair, violence and uncertainty that persists in the country.

Tom loved his friends, he loved his enemies. He reached out to the light and the humanity of everyone. We appeal in the capacity of good and kindness to combat the anger and resentment that continue to escalate as a result of the ongoing war in Iraq. We continue to pray for the remaining Christian peacemakers, other Iraqi and international hostages to be released unharmed

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The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.

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