No military deployment in Iraq: Nationwide peace vigils

27 February 2015

Peace vigils calling for increased humanitarian assistance and diplomatic support for Middle East peace processes, and opposing the military deployment to Iraq, will be held around the country at 5pm on Thursday, 5 March, coordinated by Peace Movement Aotearoa. Details for each vigil are included in this advisory, and available online at https://www.facebook.com/events/757364991025571 and http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/iraq2015.htm The details of vigils in other towns and cities will be added to those pages as soon as they are confirmed.

If there isn't a vigil in your area, all supporters of peace are invited to gather friends and family at 5pm on 5 March, light a candle for peace, then make your support visible by posting a photo of yourself or your gathering holding the 'Military deployment in Iraq? Not in our name' message to - information about where to post your photo is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/iraq-vig.htm

There is also the opportunity to add your name to the Open letter on military deployment to Iraq at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/iraq-ol15.htm

* Peace vigil details:

• Hokianga: peace vigil at 5pm at the Opononi boat ramp, please bring a candle and a prayer for peace; organised by Hokianga Catholic Workers.

• Auckland: from 5pm to 6pm, Aotea Square near Queen Street; organised by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Tamaki Makaurau.

• Hamilton: peace vigil at 5pm outside the Hamilton City Council Central Library in Garden Place; organised by Hamilton Quakers.

• Otaki: peace vigil at 5pm at the Otaki War Memorial, 6 Main Street, next to the Otaki theatre; organised by Kapiti Quakers and Otaki Catholic Workers. Peace vigils will be held here at 5pm on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month until further notice.

• Wellington: peace vigil from 5pm to 6pm at the Cenotaph, corner Lambton Quay and Bowen Street, please gather in the area between the Cenotaph and parliament gate and bring a reflection to share as well as messages or symbols of peace to leave at parliament if you wish. Peace vigils will be held at the Centotaph at 5pm on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month until further notice, organised by Peace Movement Aotearoa.

• Takaka: peace vigil at 5pm on the Village Green; organised by Golden Bay Quakers.

• Nelson: peace vigil at 5pm on the Cathedral steps; organised by Nelson Quakers.

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