No war on Iraq!
LAUNCESTON Thirty-five people attended a "No war on Iraq!" public forum at the Royal Oak Hotel on September 15, organised by Launceston Socialist Alliance.
Vicki Walker of the Socialist Alliance and Debbie Butler of the Human Rights Committee outlined the US, British and Australian threats to attack Iraq. Local activist and member of the Australian Democrats Bob Bensemann warned of the possible use of depleted uranium shells in another US war.
Brian Blanchard, a socialist and veteran of the anti-Vietnam War movement, made the point that when the capitalists go to war, it is always working people of the affected countries that pay the highest price.
The meeting unanimously agreed to organise a northern Tasmanian rally and march against war on Iraq at Princes Square on Saturday, October 5, at noon. Phone (03) 6327 1751 or 0417 319 662 for further information.
Refugees' rights quilt
WOLLONGONG The travelling refugee patchwork quilt came to Wollongong TAFE library on September 18. Fifty TAFE students came to listen to Iraqi refugee Hussain Al-Hashimi speak about his experience and to get a closer look at the quilt made up of patches by refugees and supporters. Al-Hashimi, who spent eight months in Woomera detention centre, spoke against any war on Iraq and stated that "war is the last thing my people deserve".
Socialist Alliance opposes war
PERTH Perth Socialist Alliance hosted a public meeting on September 20 titled "Why we oppose the war". The meeting attracted 35 people. Cameron Poustie, co-convenor of Greens WA and Fred Fuentes from the Socialist Alliance addressed the meeting, outlining the underlying motivations for the US push for war as well as the necessity for building an anti-war movement. To get involved in the campaign against the war on Iraq come to the next NOWAR Alliance meeting on September 26 at 6.30 pm at 75 Stirling St. The NOWAR Alliance is organising an anti-war rally on November 3.
Tasmanians for Refugees launched in Launceston
LAUNCESTON Tasmanians for Refugees was launched in August by Launceston activists in collaboration with the Hobart Tasmanians for Refugees. At its most recent meeting on September 8, the group decided to organise a rally opposing mandatory detention of refugees on October 19, which would also commemorate the sinking of SIEV-X. The rally will be at Princes Square on Saturday, October 19 at noon. Volunteers are needed. Phone Sally Wiltshire on (03) 6333 0319 for more information.
ACT anti-war forum
CANBERRA "The US is the greatest purveyor of violence on Earth", Socialist Alliance member James Vassilopoulos told a September 18 anti-war forum sponsored by Green Left Weekly.
Vassilopoulos quoted the remarks of former US attorney-general Ramsay Clark. Other speakers at the forum were Sue Wareham, of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War and Diana Rahman, from the local Middle Eastern community.
From Green Left Weekly, September 25, 2002.
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