We got Obama and we got Rudd…and we still have up to 30,000 US and Australian troops coming to practice bombing, landing and raiding at Shoalwater Bay (Central Qld) and in the NT for this year’s Aus-US Military Exercise – Operation Talisman Sabre.
The Peace Convergence is calling for peace action to take place throughout the war games (6-26 July 2009) and in various locations in the Shoalwater region.
A main Convergence weekend is planned for the first weekend of the war games with a dedicated camping site already booked in Rockhampton.
Other activities include: Committed To Change Festival July 3-5 at Byfield <http://www.committed2change.org/>, Peace House, support NAIDOC DAY in Rockhampton on July 10, Public Meeting July 10 in Rockhampton…plus more.
Click here for a run down of the program so far: http://www.peaceconvergence.com/calendar
Here are some contacts for organising in a town near you!
Brisbane
Join us in coordinating peaceful action and events or help with media, props, or donations to help others get involved…
Can’t make a trip to Rocky? The US military also uses Brisbane Airport, Brisbane Port and Amberley is also used in the exercises…so why not help organise some action here?
The Brisbane organizing meeting will be a brainstorming and planning session designed to encourage meaningful opposition to war and war games in our region!
All welcome!
Brisbane organizing meeting:
Date: Wednesday April 29 2009
Time: 4pm(ish)
Place: Melbourne Hotel Café – 10 Browning Street West End
For more information: Robin Taubenfeld 0411 118 737
Byron Bay
No meetings have been planned as yet but if you are interested please call or leave a message on 6684 0015 and we will organise a time.
Nimbin
Contact Person: Nina Boddenberg
The Nimbin Environment Centre
54 Cullen Street, Nimbin
http://www.rainbowregion.com.au/nec/
ninaboddenberg@hotmail.com
nimbinenviro@gmail.com
02 6689 1441
Sydney
Thursday April 30: Screening Scarred Lands, a film on the environmental impact of war and talk on Talisman Sabre. Mackie Building, Arundel Street, Glebe (Sydney University).
Friday 1 May: Politics in the Pub. 6pm at the Gaelic Club. Talk on military exercises.
Next organising meeting:
Date: Thursday 7th May
Time: 5.45pm
Place: AABCC office, 499 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills
Bus from Sydney being organised. For details contact Hannah.
Peace and Activism: A certificate training course is being offered through the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney and will be taught in five intensive all-day (Fridays 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm) classes culminating in a 6 day trip to Central Queensland to participate in the Peace Convergence. The dates are May 15, May 22, May 29, June 5, July 3, July 9-14 and July 31. The training course costs $500 per student. This covers study materials plus all travel and accommodation. Students provide their own camping equipment and food.
Enquiries and registration: (02) 9351 7686
Contacts: Hannah 0418 668 098 and Denis 0418 290 663
denis@anti-bases.org
http://www.anti-bases.org
Melbourne
Simon Moyle is available to organise nonviolence training but needs to confirm numbers to make it viable. If you are interested please contact Simon simon.moyle@urbanseed.org
”This is not just about nonviolence training, it’s an opportunity to build affinity groups and understanding as a group.”
6 – 26 July 2009
These are the confirmed events – more to come (and please plan your own)
3-5 July – Committed to Change Festival – Byfield
Come and be inspired by music, speakers, workshops – all in the beautiful wilderness area of Byfield. See http://www.committed2change.org/
**SWAG will have a marque at the festival which will have information about Shoalwater Bay. They will also host a breakfast on the Sunday morning.
6- 10 July: Independent Actions
Individuals and groups are invited to nonviolently protest and resist the Talisman Sabre military training exercises as they begin at Shoalwater Bay and around Australia.
10 July: Public Meeting – Yeppoon
Speakers include:
Judith Leblanc, an American Indian woman who is Organising Co-ordinator for the US peace group United for Peace and Justice
Professor Jake Lynch – head of the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at Sydney University.
11 July: Action @ Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area
13 – 26 July: Independent Actions