Student group investigates 9/11

Sophomore Justin Martell co-founded the organization Student Scholars for 9/11 Truth with Keene State sophomore Mike Jackman to investigate the events surrounding September 11, 2001.

"I want the public to understand that this has been a monumental tragedy," said Martell. "I'm not in anyway impugning the loss of this nation; in fact, I see it as the complete opposite. 9/11 has been something that has shaped our foreign and domestic policy for the last six years. 3000 innocent lives. It is the highest form of respect to find out how and why they died. And if the mainstream media is not going to get to the bottom of this then by God we will."

The inspiration for the group was a parent organization called Scholars for 9/11 Truth.

Martell and Jackman obtained permits and used a bullhorn to voice their agenda in Keene's roundabout last Friday.

To alert the public, Student Scholars for 9/11 Truth screens films, and is making a documentary. On Thursday, April 12, the film "Improbable Collapse," will be shown at the Keene State Putnam Theater at 6:30 p.m. Michael Berger, the director of the film, will be present.

"[Scholars for 9/11 Truth] has over 350 members who are college professors, world-wide, who are interested in further investigating the events of 9/11," said Martell. Martell and Jackman then decided to create a student branch. "So I contacted the society's founder, Jim Fetzer, and I told him that I wanted to start an affiliated organization. He thought it was a great idea, and from there we started developing a website and creating material."

Currently, there are 35 members of Student Scholars for 9/11 Truth across the United States, three in Canada and a few in the United Kingdom. On campus, there are eight members. "Some of the students support what we are doing. Others are apishly ignorant when it comes to 9/11."

The documentary is in the production process. "It looks at the activism," said Martell. "The documentary is a look at the activism going on about the 9/11 truth across the country and the need for a new investigation."

Filming began on September 11, 2006, and will finish September, 11, 2007. Martell, Jackman, and member Brian Reed went to New York City for the 5th anniversary of 9/11. "[There were] 2000 people wearing 'Investigate 9/11 Truth' shirts. We were definitely a force to be reckoned with down there. We went to a symposium at Cooper Union. We talked with all the prominent members in the movement, family members, and rescue workers that support the movement."

According to Martell, the reactions from New Yorkers were mixed. "Some people don't like it, and others say 'Yeah, investigate 9/11!' When Jackman went into a store to buy more tapes, a woman found out what we were doing and she gave him the tapes for free with a hug and a kiss."

The organization also hands out literature, attends political events and interviews presidential candidates. Members have met with presidential candidates Dennis Kucinich, Ron Paul, Barack Obama and Christopher Dodd.

Kucinich and Paul said that they support a new investigation into 9/11. "That set the bar, so when we ask candidates, we ask them: do you stand behind Kucinich and Ron Paul to further the investigation behind 9/11?"

Martell has also interviewed Senator Paul Hodes. "He is more focused on the war in Iraq. He is pretty much drank the government Kool-Aid when it comes to 9/11."

Members are not afraid to voice their opinions about the government, and according to Martell, should not be. "9/11 has been described by George W. Bush as the pivotal moment of the century, so far. With that said, academic institutions are the places in which the pivotal moments of history are studied and analyzed. So for anybody to suggest that those enrolled at institutions of higher education should not be studying 9/11 is preposterous."

"We are not crazy conspiracy theorists. We take the time to look at the questions that we raise. They are legit concerns and they are the same questions being raised by family members of 9/11, rescue workers, and patriots across the country. There is nothing more patriotic than questioning your government," said Martell. "I consider anyone that questions the government a patriot, and that all of our student scholars are very brave to be doing what they are doing, and I am very proud of all of them."

Martell and members have been invited to speak across the country, including Washington D.C. and the farthest away, California. For more information regarding Student Scholars for 9/11 Truth, contact Justin Martell at martellj@fpc.edu, or click on the website and click on the join us area at www.sst911.org.