Free ANZAC Day Concert

This is a free concert for all ages. It will be held on Wellington’s Waterfront, 1-4pm, on Anzac Day, Thursday 25 April 2013. There is no wet weather venue. If it is poor weather, the event will be cancelled.

Peace groups are invited to have information displays. Quality craft and food stalls are also invited to attend. There will be a range of activities for kids.

The concert itself will promote the shared desires of all peoples for world peace. The concert will also promote an aspect of “ethical investment”; whether your savings and investments are invested in the manufacturing of weapons. Some banks and investment companies will be asked to declare if they can state this, and the names of those that can will be published in the advertisements.

In this way, people are exposed to the concept of choosing how their savings are invested, and actions they can take to actively produce peace. Groups and individuals who can make this declaration and who wish to sponsor the event are invited to contact the event organiser.

Various Wellington musicians have so far come forward to play. They include Matiu Te Huki, James Coyle, Matt Pike, Sam Manzanza, Pip Payne, David Greer, The Relatives, the Stevie Ray Vaughn Tribute Band, and a “One World Band” to provide backing for solo artists.

Organiser Martin Wilson says, “We all want world peace. So, let’s help build that. It won’t happen by itself!” In this first year, Wilson has paid the advertising and concert expenses himself. He hopes that in future years, financial and investment institutions that can declare their investments to be ethical in this way will want to support the event, along with other businesses and individuals who support this declaration and event.

“The arms industry is often described as the second biggest industry in the world. Unfortunately, civilian casualties outnumber military casualties in conflicts during the last one hundred years by a ratio of approximately ten-to-one (International Committee of the Red Cross) . Non-combatants pay most of the price of armed conflicts, and it is a horrific price. Suggestions for limiting this terrible trade include: prohibiting arms exports, arms imports, and the manufacture of arms by the private sector; and the compulsory destruction of arms once their legitimate first purchaser no longer needs them. Of course, the complete prohibition of various classes of weapons, including nuclear, and land-mines, is needed immediately. Cambodia is still paying a terrible price from land-mines; and, incredibly, after 70 years, we all still face the unimaginable spectre of nuclear holocaust.”

“Weather permitting, it will be a very pleasant day for families, and a chance on this auspicious day for everyone to express their shared desire for peace in our world” says Wilson.

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