Christmas parade for peace
LAUNCESTON — "Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all" — As the US and its allies plan for war on Iraq and asylum seekers in Australia languish in detention, this simple Christmas message couldn't be more relevant.
The Launceston No War on Iraq group and Tasmanians for Refugees decided have decided to band together as the Peace on Earth group to enter a float in this year's Launceston Christmas parade on November 30.
The group plans to get its message out with music, a giant peace symbol and a replica of the SIEV-X refugee boat that sank in October 2001, with the loss of 353 lives. A banner will declare: "Peace on Earth. No war on Iraq. Goodwill to all — welcome refugees."
The group will be approaching other human rights and political groups to sign on to endorse and join the contingent.
If you would like to participate, gather at the Launceston Civic Square at 10am, Saturday, November 30. Phone Kamala on 6327 1751 for more information.
Anti-WTO 'samba' action.
MELBOURNE — 60 people joined together in a colourful march against the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on November 13. They were joined by a massive skeleton corpse representing evil corporations' attempting to take over the world and evil Darth Vader gun-toting henchmen representing the repressive state apparatus.
The action was addressed by Ted Murphy, the assistant secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), Paul Wilson, a health care worker and Cathryn Kriewaldt, an activist in Friends of the Earth.
Wilson pointed out "activists in Sydney are protesting against the WTO today and the state Labor government has refused them permits — no placards or banners are allowed. So we are here with our banners and placards to send our anti-WTO message to Sydney and to shout our message to the public. The WTO is not welcome."
The "samba" protest danced around the city handing out leaflets.
From Green Left Weekly, November 20, 2002.
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