The members of 9/11 Families for a Secure America recognize that the murders of 3,000 people on September 11, 2001 was an act of war. We are appalled that President Obama and his Attorney General, Eric Holder, refuse to comprehend this fact.
It is beyond belief that they propose for the first time in American history to prosecute war criminals in U.S. civilian courts. Military commissions have a history that dates to the time of the Civil War, and have established a reputation for fairness and lawfulness which been acknowledged even by Attorney General Holder.
On February 6, 2009, the President, in a face to face meeting with representatives of the families of the 9/11 attacks and the USS Cole bombing promised us “swift and sure justice.” Ten months after making that promise he has decided to abort the military commission process and start from scratch in the civilian courts. Thus the President is guilty of violating his promise of “swift” justice since this process will probably take years.
Already, one lawyer for the terrorist defendants has given public notice that the defense will mock the victims of these killers by transforming these trials into a perverted attempt to put on trial the United States of America.
It ought not to be the goal of those admitted to practice law in this country to act as a conduit for the murderous propaganda of Al Qaeda terrorists, but this is precisely what will result. We have only to recall the events surrounding the civilian trial of the “blind sheik,” guilty of instigating the 1993 Trade Center bombing, to see the dangers inherent in such a process.
By offering the defendants’ lawyers an opportunity for such an exhibition the President has violated his promise of “sure” justice.
Finally, inflicting on the people of the City and State of New York the emotional trauma, financial burden and danger of having the trial on their soil is a decision that lacks any sane basis.
We ask President Obama to reverse this affront to those of us who have lost our loved ones in these war crimes
