Peace group relaunched

SYDNEY — On April 21, more than 100 people attended a relaunching of the Leichhardt Stop the War Group at Leichhardt Town Hall.

Titled "Iraq: Time to bring the troops home", the meeting heard from former intelligence analyst Andrew Wilkie, civil libertarian Tim Anderson and Bali bombing survivor Hannabeth Luke.

Leichhardt councillor Kate Hamilton gave greetings and a rousing reminder of the casualties of this war — not only countless people's lives, but also truth, trust and media integrity.

Anderson pointed out US hypocrisy on human rights, and outlined the US military's plans for long-term bases around the world, including in Iraq. He also highlighted the imperial overreach and vulnerability of the US war machine.

Luke described her harrowing encounter with terror, but reminded everyone that the only way to defeat terror is to eliminate poverty. Wilkie stressed the need for a bigger, more united peace movement that can more effectively combat the war and the war criminals who rule our country.

Duroyan Fertl

From Green Left Weekly, April 27, 2005.

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From GLW issue 624