|
 |
|
Besides control of oil production and prices, how else can a invader profit from a war on Iraq?27 Mar 03: Barely a week into the immoral invasion, the US has already awarded out contracts to its own companies for development project in post-Saddam Iraq. The SMH reports: "The US army on Tuesday announced it had granted the main Iraqi oil-well firefighting contract to a unit of Halliburton Co, a firm once run by Vice President Dick Cheney, without any bidding. "Two other US companies have benefited from contracts worth a total of $US11.9 million ($A19.94 million), including one to manage the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr. "Other contracts could be awarded this week, particularly for infrastructure projects worth about $US600 million ($A1.01 billion), for which eight US firms have been invited to bid." Source: SMH,
27/3/03
19 Mar 03: We may not have been able to prevent the war but we can make the Howard Government pay for its reckless and contemptuous action. We call on all members and supporters to mobilise for protests and acts of civil disobedience. The peace movement will respond to this immoral and illegal war with its own version of "shock and awe". When war starts, rally, walk out of work, take sickies, occupy buildings, block roads, do whatever it takes. This war must be stopped, our troops brought home, and the war-mongers, punished! Rally 5pm Sydney Town Hall the day war starts.
New peace group set up in NewtownDue to the unprecedented growth in the Peace Movement, a separate peace group was recently established in Newtown. Both the Marrickville and Newtown groups continue to work closely together on joint actions, including the upcoming Enmore Park Peace Festival on Sunday 16 February. Both groups meet weekly at 7pm on Thursdays in Marrickville and Newtown.
Marrickville Council voted unanimously against war18 Feb 03: Marrickville Council voted tonight to "unreservedly" oppose any war against Iraq and Australia's involvement in such an attack and to call on the Federal Government to "bring the troops home". The motion moved by Greens Councillor Sam Byrne also required the Council to print anti-war banners to be displayed on its Town Halls, write letters to the Prime Minister and Opposition and to advertise its stance in local papers. Nick Deane from the Marrickville Community Peace Group (MCPG) spoke at the meeting regarding the motion, calling on the Council to show leadership on this issue and oppose a war that will inevitably kill thousands of innocent lives and create division within the Marrickville community. The MCPG were also successful in getting the Council's recognition of local anti-war groups and to provide them "in kind assistance".
Sydney creates history in largest anti-war protest Australia
has ever seen
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
16 Feb 03: More than a quarter million people, or one in every 12 people in Sydney, crammed into Hyde Park and surrounding streets in an anti-war protest that stunned even the most optimistic.
The Sydney protest carrying the message "no war on Iraq; bring our troops home" followed record numbers in Melbourne and other parts of Australia and was part of an unprecedented global day of protest involving over 20 million people in over 600 cities and towns around the world.
Even as the march began Sydneysiders were still pouring in, mostly on foot, as train and bus services were unable to cope with the demand. In near chaos police and organisers were forced to divert marchers to the Domain, a larger nearby park.
Meanwhile back in Hyde Park speakers were cheered and applauded as they spoke out against the logic and morality of the war.
Genan Dadoun, spokesperson for the Muslim Women's Association, said: "We do not need fridge magnets to protect us from terror. If we want to reduce the amount of terror in the world, we should ... stop participating in the terror!"
Never has there been such a massive outpouring of opposition to a war even before it officially began. As the final speaker John Pilger said, "Our movement is too big to be defeated."
Organisers and local groups are expected to build on this momentum leading towards the next major weekend of protest planned for 15/16 March with a focus on local actions.
The Marrickville Community Peace Group is planning actions to coincide with this date and welcomes all concerned Inner-West residents to join in its struggle for peace.
|
Britain's dossier: a fraud
7 Feb 03: It has just been revealed that Britain's "intelligence" dossier on Iraq, which Colin Powell cited and praised so highly of in his case to the Security Council, is nothing more than a fraud — chunks of the work (including spelling, punctuation errors) were found to have been copied directly from the internet, including the work of a graduate student from 12 years ago.
This document was presented to the public as the product
of up-to-date British intelligence and has been cited by Tony
Blair and Colin Powell as the basis for a possible war. This
not only shows the extent to which the Blair and Bush governments
would go to deceive the world into an unjust war but also
puts doubt on the credibility of their intelligence network.
Source: The
Guardian, CNN,
TimesOnline
Watch Reuter's
report (requires ReadAudio)
|
No confidence in PM: Australian Senate
5 Feb 03: On 5 February, the Australian Senate —
for the first time in its history — censured the Australian
Government and declared no confidence in Prime Minister John
Howard for sending 2000 troops to fight a possible war in
Iraq without asking parliament and without the support of
the Australian people.
Source: News
Limited.
|
About our peace groupsWe are a group of individuals and local organisations united to oppose any war on Iraq. We do not accept there is any reason, even under the guise of the UN, for military action that will inevitably kill thousands of innocent lives. We are not affiliated to any political or religious group. Participating members come from Inner West area of Sydney, Australia. Interested? Subscribe to our newsgroup, get along to one of our meetings or events or contact one of our members. Contact us: Newtown Group: Mike 0403181586 or Karen 0411021592 |
No Blood for Oil! Protest against BP5 April, 10am-noon Peaceful protest to raise awareness of the blood spilt to
satisfy British Petroleum (BP)'s 80-year thirst for oil. Drivers
and bystanders will be given this blood drop flyer: |
Next major Sydney action: 13 April
|
Regular meetingsRegular meetings MARRICKVILLE NEWTOWN |
Regular Marrickville & Newtown stalls Saturdays, Fridays |
Wear a purple ribbon for peaceWear a piece of purple ribbon or a purple armband to show your commitment to peace. Make your own or order a ribbon from us. |