LAUNCESTON — Amongst the usual tinsel, angels and reindeers of the annual Christmas parade on November 30, there were a couple of floats that carried a different message. “Peace on Earth, goodwill to all; no war on Iraq; welcome refugees” read the lead banner of the Peace on Earth float. A model of the globe was emblazoned with “Let's share this planet in peace”.

The 20 people who accompanied the float, carrying peace flags and a giant peace symbol, delivered an anti-war message to the thousands of people lined the streets.

The float was put together by No War on Iraq group, Tasmanians for Refugees and the Launceston Peace Action Network. It was endorsed by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, the Socialist Alliance, the Bass Greens, the Australian Democrats, Oxfam-Community Aid Abroad, the Launceston Human Rights Committee, the National Union of Students, Tasmanian University Students Association (Launceston campus) and the Tasmanian branch of Young Labor.

A replica of the SIEV-X was carried in the parade, with a banner commemorating the 353 refugees who drowned when that boat sank on October 19, 2001. Another float in the parade, which carried the message “Fruity Bits — celebrating diversity in our community”, celebrated society's diversity of sexuality, gender and ability.

From Green Left Weekly, December 4, 2002.
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