BY BRONWYN JENNINGS
GEELONG — For several years, Victorians from all sorts of backgrounds have made an annual trek to Avalon, near Geelong, to view the acrobatics of dozens of international aircraft. It has become a family weekend for hundreds of thousands, causing traffic jams for the whole of the Princes Highway from Melbourne to Geelong.
With war against Iraq imminent, the Geelong Anti-War Coalition decided at its January 23 meeting that this Australian International Air Show would be a perfect place to protest. On display will be the aircraft that are used in warfare and will be used in the event of a war on Iraq.
The peaceful protest will start on February 15 at 10am. Coalition spokesperson Tim Gooden said, "We want the community to understand the real role of these aircraft, not just as high tech objects of awe, but as killing machines. This is the perfect opportunity for thousands of Australians to be informed about the horrors of what Howard is committing us to."
The Geelong Trades Hall Council convenes the Geelong Anti-War Coalition. For more information about the coalition or the protest phone Trades Hall on 03 5221 1712 or Tim Gooden on 0418 290 656.
From Green Left Weekly, January 29, 2003.
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