TOM FOX

Here are some thoughts on murdered US hostage Tom Fox. I never actually met Tom though I was due to go on the ill-fated CPT (Christian Peacemakers) delegation along with James Loney, Harmeet Sooden and Norman Kember. The group (minus Tom who travelled separately) met up in Amman, Jordan in preparation for the trip to Iraq. Last year I did an inordinate amount of travelling through 11 different countries and was dog tired by the time I reached Jordan. The group leader, Canadian James Loney, felt that I wasn’t up to the trip and consequently I was left behind. Though disappointed my miss was of course my mercy as the group were kidnapped in Baghdad on November 26th and have been held hostage since.

I tried to go to Iraq independently to help secure their release but despite numerous trips to the Iraqi Embassy in Amman was unable to get a visa.

I met activist Joe Carr when I was in Amman and he knew Tom well, here are his thoughts:

12 March 2006

Another Fallen Friend and Martyr
The death of Tom Fox and a true test of solidarity
By Joe Carr

I first met Tom Fox in Chicago at a Christian Peacemaker Teams’
training and we became good friends through our work together. He was a
father with children about my age, and was like an uncle to me.

He was my team’s coordinator during my month in Iraq. Shaggy, a young
Iraqi friend and translator, nicknamed him “Uncle Tom” because of his
paternal but playful manner. He provided a calm and steady presence, and
an open and compassionate ear. His warmth and humor helped me to hang on
through my depressing and fearful time in Iraq.

I remember the comforting sound of Tom’s recorder, which he played in
place of his clarinet. I will miss the mornings when he led worship, often
in the silent Quaker tradition.

Tom was truly committed to maintaining an international presence in Iraq
despite the danger. He understood the privilege we have in being able to
choose whether or not we face violence, a choice denied to Iraqis,
Palestinians, and poor people of color around the world. His commitment to
solidarity led him to Iraq, to share in some of that risk.

Dozens of Iraqi bodies show up in Baghdad each week. Many are killed
by US-sponsored death squads, trained to use brutal counter-insurgency
tactics against militants and civilians alike. In the chaos of occupied
Iraq, thousands of Iraqis have been kidnapped for profit. But we only
hear about it when it happens to internationals.

I was standing with 23-year-old American activist Rachel Corrie when an
Israeli soldier intentionally drove over and crushed her to death with a
US-made Caterpillar bulldozer. A month later, I was with 22-year-old
British activist Tom Hurndall, helping to move Palestinian children out of
the line of Israeli sniper fire when that sniper purposefully shot Tom in
the head.

The three-year anniversary of Rachel’s murder is March 16, next Thursday,
and activists around the world will host events to commemorate her life
and sacrifice. But we will also commemorate the thousands of Palestinians
who’ve given their lives to the struggle, over 3,500 since September,
2000.

Activists are also gearing up for demonstrations next weekend to mark the
three-year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. As we mourn for Tom Fox, let
us remember the 100,000-250,000 Iraqis murdered by US occupation forces,
and the 15,000-17,000 Iraqi hostages, held without charge in US and Iraqi
detention facilities.

The loss of my comrades hurts very much, and it scares me to be so close
to our few western martyrs. But my pain and fear only deepens my sense of
solidarity and determination to continue their legacy of struggle.

Iraqis, Palestinians, and oppressed people everywhere are fighting and
dying for freedom, and it’s long passed time for Americans to join
them. We must take risks and be willing to sacrifice some of our
privilege; a privilege built on the backs of millions. We must remain
focused on the true source of this violence and suffering, US-led
capitalist imperialism.

Let us grieve for our loss, together with families everywhere who’s loved
ones have fallen. Let us also continue the legacy of Tom Fox, Tom
Hurndall, and Rachel Corrie, to build a global solidarity movement for
peace, justice, and freedom.

Let us see to it they do not die in vain.

Joe "Yousef" Carr
Anti-Oppression Activist & Performance Artist
www.lovinrevolution.org
+1-816-805-7133



My own thoughts echo those expressed by Joe, especially when he mentions the 15,000 –17,000 Iraqi hostages held without charge by the occupation.

I am writing this at 5.23am on a chilly Edinburgh morning – the snow, which fell yesterday, has just melted. I consider myself lucky to be alive as it could so easily have been me who was killed instead of Tom. I see from the Al Jazeera website that another 66 Iraqis have been killed in a series of car bombs. Their suffering goes on.
What have they ever done to us?

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to say at a time like this – I phoned the CPT office in Baghdad and offered my condolences to the brave souls who still man the unprotected office there. (CPT website www.cpt.org)

Lastly the infamous Dr Henry Kissinger teamed up with another former Secretary of State, Alexander Haig, to express the view that even more violence should be unleashed against the long suffering Iraqi people:
 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11785513/

I’ll finish by wishing for big turnouts on the media action day on Wednesday March 15th and for the anti-war demonstrations around the world on March 18th/19th,

Best to all Indymedia readers from Edinburgh, Scotland,
Paul O’Hanlon