Call for anti-war convergence at federal parliament

BY JAMES VASSILOPOULOS

CANBERRA — The ACT Network Opposing War on February 18 issued its own call for all anti-war and peace groups, community organisations, trade unions, student and youth groups and political organisations opposed to a war on Iraq to gather outside Parliament House on March 23-24.

The call was initially made to anti-war groups in capital cities by Rural Australians Against War. The Victorian Peace Network has endorsed the idea of a convergence. The anti-war group in Newcastle has discussed the idea and is planning to send two coaches. People in Adelaide and Armidale have responded favourably to the call.

The protest will be the ideal response to Prime Minister John Howard's insulting dismissal of the 1 million people who demonstrated against war on February 14-16, the largest anti-war protests in Australian history. Howard labelled protesters "the mob" and claimed that protesters gave "comfort" to the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq.

From Green Left Weekly, February 26, 2003.

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From GLW issue 527