Activists plan to block US warship

Auckland Peace Action (APA) is planning a protest flotilla against warships visiting NZ as part of the NZ Navy’s 75th birthday.

APA expects that John Key and US Vice President Joe Biden will confirm the November visit of the first United States warship in 32 years later this week.

The NZ Defence Industry Association will hold an international arms fair to coincide with the warship visit on 16 & 17 November at the ANZ Viaduct Events Centre.

Spokesperson Valerie Morse says APA is planning a flotilla to block the warships and a blockade outside the arms fair.

"Warships have no place in our peaceful country," she says. "We can't stand by while weapons profiteers promote war in our beautiful city."

Ms Morse says the warship visit is a significant step towards our government’s involvement in future US wars.

"While US aggression continues and weapons sellers make record profits, the people of Iraq continue to suffer," she says.

The US's illegal war in Iraq forced millions of peoples to flee their homes, killed at least 500,000 people and destroyed their country, Morse says.

“Rather than stopping terrorism, the US war created new terrorists. Millions of innocent people are now fleeing for their lives as a result. It is time for a peaceful and just resolution to conflict,” she says.

Details of the action can be found on the group’s website: AucklandPeaceAction.nz

ENDS

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