STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Activists who dropped banners at the Staten Island Mall Saturday later issued the following statement.
On Saturday, July 26, 2008, members of Movement for a Democratic Society / Staten Island (MDS), Peace Action of Staten Island (PASI) and World Can’t Wait (WCW) dropped 2 large banners at the Staten Island Mall, in the heartland of one of New York City’s least politically active boroughs.
As Staten Islanders, we are angry that our representatives have too often not only pandered to large corporate interests and the Bush Agenda, but have also promoted an illegal and immoral war from its inception. In a nation where over 80% of the citizenry oppose the war and think the nation is heading in the wrong direction, we are tired of having our opinions summarily ignored and neglected by those who are supposed to represent us.
The banners, hung on opposite ends the 2nd floor balcony in center court read, “STOP THE WAR!” and “NO ATTACK ON IRAN!”. Although shoppers seemed oblivious to the banners at first, Air Force recruiters manning a military recruitment table on the lower level in Center Court did take immediate notice and hurried to alert mall security, presumably to apprehend and detain the activists. Shoppers, eventually took note and seemed intrigued, several stopping to snap pictures with their camera phones.
Why the Staten Island Mall? Our intention was to bring a dose of much needed reality to this sterile environment of wanton consumerism. Our desire, to remind recruiters and consumers that while they aggresively recruit in the center of our shopping malls, and nonchalantly use their American Express and Visa cards on a summer saturday afternoon, thousands are still dying in a war that should have never begun. We as residents of Staten Island, will continue to raise our voice in opposition to this war and any future war with Iran. We will not rest until the bloodshed ends and our representatives are responsive to the opinions and desires of their constituents.
