Anti-war notebook

April 16, 2003
Issue 

Pensioner protests war on Iraq

BY KAMALA EMANUEL

LAUNCESTON - Anti-war activist Bob Bensemann cancelled his pension on March 24 in reaction against the government’s treatment of refugees and its support for war on Iraq. In his letter to the social security minister (to date, unanswered), he wrote, “Because of the Howard Coalition Government’s cowardly and vindictive treatment of refugees and its willing part in waging a brutal, immoral and illegal war against the almost defenceless people of Iraq, I have cancelled the payment of my Age Pension from this date.”

Speaking to Green Left Weekly on March 30, Bensemann said that he wants a ceasefire, with troops returned to Australia. He contrasted his act of giving up his pension in order to bring attention to what he says and writes in opposition to the war, to PM John Howard’s waste of “millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money to pay spin-doctors for his political purposes”.

To date, while he has received a letter from Centrelink outlining his financial options, he hasn’t received a political response. When ABC radio asked Tasmanian Liberal senator Eric Abetz for a response, his only comment was that people have a right to protest.

Union leader calls for withdrawal of troops

NEWCASTLE - About 400 people took to the streets here on April 5 to protest against the US-led invasion of Iraq. Organised by the Hunter Peace Forum, the rally included contingents from trade unions,

the ALP, the Socialist Alliance, the Greens and the No War collective.

Speakers included social justice activist Paul Walsh, Pauline Boyce from the Catholic Social Justice Commission, secretary of the Newcastle Trades Hall Gary Kennedy and Doug Cameron, national secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.

Cameron condemned the federal Coalition government for its support for the US and called for Australian troops to be brought home. Kennedy urged all attending to come to the Palm Sunday anti-war march and rally on April 13.

Around 150 people marched later that day in a Reclaim the Streets action, which also had an anti-war theme.

Peace protest at Richmond RAAF base

BY GAIL LORD

SYDNEY - On April 6, 20 anti-war activists wove colourful fabric into anti-war slogans along the Richmond RAAF base fence in western Sydney. They also left signs stating “Bring the troops home now!”, “Regime change begins at home” and "Ban all weapons of mass destruction” along the air base fence.

The “Honk 4 no war” sign was very popular with passing motorists. The base was chosen as the site for the anti-war protest as it hosts a detachment of the US Air Force Air Mobility Command. US Air Force C-141 Starlifter and C-5 Galaxy transport planes land at the Richmond RAAF base on a weekly basis en route to and from the Pine Gap satellite spy base near Alice Springs.

Forum on US war drive

BY RACHEL EVANS & ANGELA VECCHIO

MELBOURNE - On April 2, 34 people attended a lively forum in Northcote looking at the US war drive. Sponsored by the Socialist Alliance, the forum was addressed by Bill Hartley from the Australia-Iraq Friendship Society, Allen Jennings from Committees in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean and Natalie Zirngast from the Socialist Alliance.

Zirngast summed up the thrust of all the speakers when she aid: “We are at a historic juncture. Either the US war drive is halted, or we face decades of US-led wars and occupations. We must all help to fight this.”

War will not liberate women

BY MATTHEW LORENZON & RACHEAL NORRIS

ADELAIDE - On April 5, 40 Books Not Bombs activists and Resistance members met at the Adelaide Resistance Centre for a seminar entitled “Stop the war on women”. Topics discussed included women's oppression, the media, an analysis of different strands of feminism and body image. In her talk, Socialist Alliance member Bronwen Beechey described the devastating effects that the war on Iraq will have on women there.

From Green Left Weekly, April 16, 2003.
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