Rachel Corrie’s Nonviolent Action Was Justified…

Glen Anderson, submitted to Tacoma News Tribune March 18, 2010

Greg Cook’s News Tribune article questioned Rachel Corrie’s judgment in standing before a bulldozer in Rafah, Palestine seven years ago. She was a close friend of mine.

Rachel acted courageously and nonviolently to protect innocent Palestinian people from the Israeli military’s epidemic of illegally destroying thousands of their homes.

Instead of blaming Rachel for being naïve, we should blame the Israeli government for its longstanding violent actions, which are illegal under international law.

For decades the United Nations has been passing resolutions demanding that Israel get out of the lands it has been occupying since 1967 in violation of international law.

The US government always opposes the UN’s attempts to protect Palestinians’ human rights. Every year the US gives Israel billions of dollars for illegal military violence. The bulldozer that killed Rachel was made in the U.S. and most likely paid for by our tax dollars.

Every human being has a moral responsibility to do what is right. People are morally required – even at some personal risk – to confront evil and support the good. Rachel took personal responsibility to perform the peace and human rights work that the U.S. government has shamefully refused to do.

Yes, Rachel faced danger. But this is part of nonviolent movements for peace and social justice.

During the 1800s people took personal risks to help slaves escape.

During the 1930s-1940s people risked their lives to help Jews hide or escape from the Nazis.

During the 1950s and 1960s blacks and whites were killed while working in the South for integration, voting, and other human rights.

Rachel exercised reasonable safety measures. She wore a bright orange vest, used a bullhorn to talk to the bulldozer driver, and faced him eye-to-eye. The driver deliberately murdered her – in violation of explicit policy to stop when civilians are present.

The young Chinese man who faced down the tanks in Tiananmen Square stood up for freedom and democracy. So did Rachel Corrie. That young man became a symbol for freedom and democracy everywhere. Rachel tried to appeal to the conscience of the bulldozer driver. She ended up reaching the conscience of the whole world.

Sincerely,

Glen Anderson