Leichhardt picnic for peace

BY PATRICIA SADLEIR

SYDNEY — Despite near 40-degree heat, more than 100 people gathered in Bicentennial Park in Glebe on January 26 for a "picnic for peace", the first public event of the recently formed Leichhardt Stop the War Group.

The picnic was addressed by Leichhardt Mayor Maire Sheehan, who spoke of the need to help ordinary people protest what the Australian government is doing, and the role of the Leichhardt Stop the War Group in that. This inspired a group from Mosman to declare that they would start a similar group there.

Activist Col Cooper, the vice-president of the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union (CEPU), said, "It will be ordinary working people, on both sides, who bare the brunt of this war".

The diverse picnickers — from all ages, backgrounds, and political persuasions — flocked to stalls held by the Leichhardt Stop The War Group, the Socialist Alliance, and one advertising a local showing of the Michael Moore film Roger and Me.

Some locals painted banners, while others made paper peace doves to remain hanging from a tree, a reminder of the picnics themes — peace and no war.

The Leichhardt Stop the War Group meets fortnightly, with the next meeting Thursday February 13, 7:30pm, at Leichhardt Town Hall. For more information, phone Paul 0410 629 088.

From Green Left Weekly, February 5, 2003.

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From GLW issue 524