From: Tanvi Tripathi <tbtripathi@yahoo.com>
Subject: Sakhi for South Asian Women Response to WTC tragedy
Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 06:12:40 -0700 (PDT)
We at Sakhi for South Asian Women are extremely shocked and saddened by the tragic events of Tues. September 11, 2001. Our thoughts are with each and everyone who has been touched by this terrible tragedy, particularly those who have lost near ones and those who are still missing.
We are also profoundly saddened that our longtime Sakhi Volunteer and friend Swarna Chalasani, who works at Fiduciary Trust located on the 94th floor of the 2nd world trade center is still missing.
We are also dismayed that at a time when the majority of people in the United States have come together to help relieve the suffering caused by the catastrophe of the past few days, that the reaction of some people has been the unfair targeting of the members of South Asian, Muslim and Arab communities. We hope that even in the midst of such a terrible tragedy as Sept. 11, that none of us forget our humanity and the need for mutual respect of our diverse communities. Therefore we urge all of you who believe in the dignity of humanity to speak out against such racial bias, discrimination, and violence.
While it has been very hard to continue our day-to-day lives under these tragic circumstances, we at Sakhi, are determined to work together and do our small part in the struggle to end violence and bring greater peace in our individual and collective lives.