Subject: Speech given at the Capitol for a Muslim rally after 9/11 attack on America
Issue: General
Date: September 29, 2001
Author: Linda Kelsch


  THE POWER OF UNITY

     I am honored to be here today with you good people. The vision of world peace we all hold dear seems to be challenged at this time. My hope is that it is simply a stirring up of old energies in order that the millennial reign of peace that we all look forward to can be established.

     I believe that the power of unity and love is far greater than the power of war, and I believe Love will prevail because we desire it to be so, and God is our strength. Gandhi proved this to be so, and so did Martin Luther King, Jr. We have a precedent in recent history to show that this ideal is ready to come to fruition on a worldwide scale.

     America has been awakened to come to choice. It seems the whole world is watching, if not involved. I believe now is a time for much prayer and coming together in a spirit of unity carrying the ideal of world peace to a reality in our lives. Let us be willing to give our children this legacy through our example.

     We now have the technology and the maturity to learn about each other’s cultures and honor and support each other’s beliefs. Let us take heart and allow our commonalities to unite us.

     I believe the condition the world is in today reflects the attitude held by the people of the world. Therefore, when we find the peace within ourselves, our families, our communities, and our nation’s, the world will know peace.

     I believe the only appropriate response to the terrorist attack is compassion. If terror governs us and we retaliate in kind on any level, the perpetrators have accomplished what they set out to do. Our great Masters have taught us a better way to heal our wounds. Let us honor the life they lived, by having a greater respect for all life, as they did. I am grateful for this opportunity to reach out in a spirit of love and unity. It is a powerful force that will prevail.

Linda Kelsch, candidate for Utah House District 53