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The war on terrorism has preoccupied the minds of many Americans and the nation’s governments, but a hearing sponsored by the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine encouraged citizens and political candidates to remember the issues that were important before Sept. 11.
The Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine held a Real Security hearing at the William S. Cohen School Saturday, March 2. More than 15 peace and justice organizations gave testimonials as to why they question whether or not the war on terrorism will make America more secure.
The issues addressed at the hearing included healthcare, racism, women’s rights, freedom of the press and other concerns, as well as what alternatives can be taken to provide greater security. All of Maine’s candidates for the U.S. House and Senate and governor’s seat, as well as those in office, were invited to attend the hearing.
Doug Allen, the educational coordinator for the Peace and Justice Center, faculty advisor for the Maine Peace Action Committee, University of Maine professor and moderator for the event, opened the hearing by thanking the groups, as well as the candidates who took the time to attend. He gave the first testimonial proclaiming that many issues have been overlooked in the face of the widening war on terrorism.
“So many other concerns have not gone away,” Allen said.
Pat McCoy, a former employee of International Paper, gave a testimonial about the need for universal healthcare. McCoy lost his job when IP moved its business out of Maine and said he had to cash in his 401K in order to exist. He said he has had to make the choice of whether or not to take his prescription or to buy groceries.
“This government should feel disgraced at its inability to protect its citizens. We need affordable healthcare, and we need it now,” McCoy said.
James Varner from the Greater Bangor National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said Americans should be concerned about racism at home and recognize its limitations abroad.
“We can’t police the whole world,” he said. “We need a war on racist terrorism in this country.”
Varner also addressed the subject of racial profiling, saying that it is wrong to presuppose someone of a crime just because of the way they look and that everyone should be concerned about the issue.
“They profile me today, but it may be you tomorrow,” he said.
Many of the testimonials questioned government policy, both foreign and domestic. Larry Dansinger from Resources for Organizing for Social Change called for the candidates in office to give the power back to the people and candidates to do so if they are elected.
“We’ll never have real security in this country until we also have real democracy,” Dansinger said.
After the testimonials, the candidates who attended the event were given several minutes to respond. The candidates who came or were represented were David Costello, John Nutting, Lori Handrahan, Sean Faircloth and Susan Longley, all democratic candidates for Congress. Also present were gubernatorial candidates Steven Farsaci and Jonathan Carter, both Green Party candidates.
The candidates all expressed gratitude for being invited to listen to the testimonials.
“I think one of the main things you have brought home is that public service is about listening,” Handrahan said.
Each of the candidates expressed his or her views on many of the issues addressed at the hearing and ways they think real security can be attained.
“Real security means happily questioning a destructive status quo,” Farsaci said.
Members of the audience were then invited to mingle with the candidates and speak with them one on one. The audience was also invited to give their own testimonials on Community Radio WERU-FM 102.9, which will be broadcasting the event at a later date.
