Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter #22, February 13, 2003

Website http://www.gpja.pl.net/ Contact details: Forums – John Minto, (09) 8463173 mailto:jbminto@xtra.co.nz; Newsletter Editor – Mike Treen 0212547440 / 3763780 mailto:miket@pl.net Web page – Geraldine Peters (09) 3570655 mailto:bern@ihug.co.nz Donations can be sent to GPJA, 84 Paice Ave, Sandringham, Auckland. All communication regarding the GPJA mailing list (email or snail) should be addressed to mailto:gpjamailinglist@xtra.co.nz

MARCH ON SATURDAY, FEB 15 (12 NOON, BOTTOM OF QUEEN ST) PEACE CONCERT SUNDAY, FEB 16 (1PM, POTTERS PARK)

Dear friends,

The US administration continues its relentless drive to war against Iraq. The ridiculous attempts to link the Iraqi dictatorship with the Al Qaeda terrorists just shows how desperate they have become. Given that the US supported the Iraqi regime against Iran and Osama bin Laden against the Russians in Afghanistan maybe they are looking at themselves as the missing link.

This weekend will be one of the most important antiwar mobilisations in history with 10 million people expected to protest in dozens of countries and hundreds of cities around the world. People from all walks of life will be saying NO to war.

“A world united against war” http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00092.htm 10 million join world protest rallies From Africa to Antarctica, people prepare to march for peace http://www.guardian.co.uk/antiwar/story/0,12809,894460,00.html

On example is BBC presenter Anita McNaught (formerly from NZ television) who has been banned from joining the London protest by the BBC. She sent the following message to GPJA (before the ban). “I wish you all the best. I'll be marching on 15th Feb here in London in solidarity, and perhaps sooner, if Blair doesn't show some signs of stopping his own ludicrous participation in this insane business.” http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,893306,00.html

In New Zealand there will be protests in 15 cities and towns from Great Barrier Island to Dunedin. (See: http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/wkac0203.htm)

In Auckland the police have agreed to close off the bottom of Queen St on Saturday to allow the march to assemble since the advertised rallying point (QEII Square) is now a construction site. We will be marching up Queen Street for a rally in Myers Park.

Some new acts (including the Topp Twins) have been added to the line-up for the concert at Potters. The updated programme runs from 1pm to 7.45pm as follows with MC's Michele A'Court and Caitlin Smith:

Salon Kingsadore Tamil Cultural Group Selwyn College Band Brenda Lydiard and Mark Laurent African drummers One Voice Choir Taos Phil Toms Topp Twins Hilt The Weather Belly dancer Caitlin Smith Street Theatre Group Golden Horse Shona Laing and Karen Hunter Don McGlashen

See you there!

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