Good Friday
GOOD FRIDAY
Modern Day Crucifixion – Drone Wars &
Special Operation – Assassination Squads
Good Friday in the Christian calendar is the day Jesus was executed by the Roman Empire for the crime of sedition (stirring up the people) in occupied Palestine. For the Occupier and Occupied, crucifixion was up front and personal. Troublemakers were tortured and executed in public places to deter others from stirring up further trouble for the empire.
The U.S. is today’s global empire with a very slick propaganda machine to disguise its wars of conquest as humanitarian missions. It’s crucifying power operates on a much wider scale but is more stealth and exotic in nature. It tortures people in secret prisons, uses depleted uranium radiation weapons, killer drones named “Predators and Reapers,” and black op hit squads in an endless war for control of resources under the cover of “protecting citizens” and “fighting terrorism.” Empire defines a terrorist as anyone who resists domination by modern day moneychangers called multinational corporations.
All empires promote myths to serve their interest. A key myth is that violence is a solution to problems, or as Obama says “All options are on the table.” Jesus knew otherwise –that being willing to die, but not to kill, is the way to new life, justice and peace. His witness proved that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of a new movement of non-violent resistance, what others call –the church. For over 200 years, to be a member of this new movement meant you refused to participate in the wars of empire. Thousands were crucified for their refusal and the movement grew by leaps and bounds. Then the Romans got smart. They learned the art of co-opting. They made Christianity the official religion of the empire, put the cross on imperial shields, and got Christians marching off to fight imperial wars.
What of the U.S. Empire today? After more than 10 years of war in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and possibly soon to be Iran, where are the voices of conscience in our community? Where are the voices speaking out for justice and peace and against war and occupation? How many churches, temples, etc. are speaking out publicly to cut off the war funds and redirect spending to education, health care, and other human needs including military clean up instead of build up in Hawaii. And what about ending the illegal occupation of the Kingdom of Hawaii?
Time to Upset the Moneychangers Tables Again!
Get Stirred Into Action! Arise From Being Dead!
Become Born Again This Easter!
1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject war as a solution. 3. Defend civil liberties. 4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, etc.
5. Seek peace through justice in Hawai`i and around the world.
Contact: Malu `Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box AB Kurtistown, Hawai`i 96760.
Phone (808) 966-7622. Email ja@malu-aina.org http://www.malu-aina.org
Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet (April 6, 2012 – 550th week) – Friday 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office
