1 July 2003

Media Release:

Independence - From USA - Day - Protest this Friday

Global Peace and Justice Auckland are holding a protest outside the American Consulate in Customs Street this Friday from 5pm to protest against American foreign policy and to call for all foreign troops - including New Zealand troops - to be withdrawn from Iraq.

In 2003 America still celebrates its independence from British Colonial rule while its actions crush independence movements and seek unilateral dominance of the globe in every domain - political, economic and military.

America's brutal and cynical policies are creating a more dangerous world for all human beings.

Making the world "safe" for American multinational corporations to do business is not an objective most of humanity shares. Only 4% of the world's population are American and by all accounts more than 90% of the world's people opposed US/UK plans to invade Iraq.

Friday's protest will also register our deep resentment at the New Zealand government's decision to send troops to join the US/UK occupation forces in Iraq. We have as little legitimacy in joining this invasion force in Iraq as we did in sending troops to Vietnam at America's behest. We already have the shameful embarrassment of having defence force personnel in Afghanistan even now.

The Helen Clark cabinet is trying to use the UN as a fig leaf to cover what is a gutless, morally corrupt decision. New Zealand has joined the war criminals…

Friday's protest is international. By a quirk of geography New Zealand will again be the first country to register its protest.

For more information:

Mike Treen – (09) 3616989 or 0212547440
John Minto – (09) 8463173 (Hm) or (09) 2745764 (Wk)
Geraldene Peters - (09) 3570655

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