September 8, 2011 New York, NY-- On the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001, CODEPINK today announced the launch of “Create, Not Hate” a national campaign geared at mobilizing communities across the nation to use culture as a tool against fear and endless war. People are filling in “Make [ ], Not War” signs with their own intentions for positively countering violence, whether by making friends or amends or music. CODEPINK and their partners have organized national anti-Islamophobia events, marches, art installations, and interfaith services to re-affirm the dominant public opinion that the world is ready to end to the US occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq. The month of events will culminate on October 6th, the anniversary of the Afghanistan invasion.

Partners in Create, Not Hate include September Eleventh Families for Peaceful Tomorrows. Adele Welty, whose son, a brave firefighter named Timothy, was killed on 9/11, said, “The response to the tragic loss of life on 9/11 has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, Afghans and other innocent civilians, as well as the loss of thousands of our own troops. Compounding the deaths of those precious souls will not bring Timmy or any of the victims back. Violence only breeds violence.”

Jodie Evans, CODEPINK Co-Founder says, “CODEPINK continues our call for an immediate end to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. We are outraged that those who are complicit in war crimes have yet to be brought to justice. We continue our calls for a real policy of peace and security, which starts with bringing all US troops home and upholding the Constitution.“

As one of the most prolific voices for peace to emerge in the last decade, CODEPINK has repeatedly called for an end to the bombing of innocent civilians, the torture of prisoners, domestic surveillance and the deterioration of civil liberties. CODEPINK Co-Founder Medea Benjamin said, “We know the U.S. response to 9/11 has increased suffering around the world.  And these tactics will never make any of us safer.”