Say No to Terrorism and War, 11 September 2002

A peace event will be held in the New Zealand parliament grounds from 1pm on the first anniversary of the September 11 2001 attacks on New York and Washington.

The event, organised by Peace Action Wellington, will present two national petitions to parliament to the accepting MP, Keith Locke of the Green Party.

The first petition, begun in September 2001 and now with more than 6,200 signatures, calls for peaceful resolution of the September 11 attacks. The signatories, stunned and appalled by the tragedy of the attacks and moved by the grief and suffering of those whose loved ones were killed and injured, have been horrified at the threat to more innocent people's lives as the military forces of the United States and its allies have massed for war.

Accordingly, the signatories are urging the New Zealand government to give no military support for vengeance; further urging that the government promote and support a peaceful path being followed establish the guilt of those responsible for the attacks and to punish them for their crimes; and in addition urging the government to initiate and support positive ways of reducing the threat of terrorism, in particular in improving the social and economic conditions of the peoples of the world.

3,661 signatures on the "Peaceful Resolution" petition were presented to parliament at ceremonies in October and December 2001. The final 2,565 will be presented at the ceremony on September 11 2002, along with the first batch of signatures for the second national petition.

This second petition, No NZ support for the 'war on terrorism', condemns all forms of terrorism including state terrorism and supports all those responsible for terrorist acts being brought to justice.

The signatories completely oppose the US government's 'war on terrorism' which has resulted in the deaths of, and injuries to, thousands of civilians in Afghanistan. The signatories are horrified that the US has now declared a 'second front' in South East Asia; ands by their increasingly aggressive preparations to launch a new war against the people of Iraq. It is inevitable that as the 'war on terrorism' spreads, civilian causalities will continue to increase.

The signatories are appalled at the US and British governments' threats to humanity by the use of nuclear terror, in particular their stated willingness to use nuclear weapons against the people of Iraq, Russia, China, Iran North Korea, Syria, and Libya.

The petition rejects the NZ government's military and political support for the 'war on terrorism', and the link between this support and the advancement of 'free' trade agreements.

Accordingly the signatories insist that the NZ government cease all military and political support for the 'war on terrorism', and recall all NZ military staff involved, including the SAS troops.; the signatories demand that the NZ government condemns any military action taken in the name of the 'war on terrorism' and again call on the government to initiate and support positive ways of reducing the threat of terrorism and war, in particular by improving the social and economic conditions of the peoples of the world.

The ceremony at parliament will feature the acceptance of petition forms by Mr Locke, speakers, live music from Wellington musicians Brass Razoo, an open mic to allow the public to voice their feelings and a minute's silence in memory of all those who have lost their lives in the terror war.

Peace Action Wellington, Media Release
10 September 2002
For more information contact Simon Delahunt tel (04) 382 8129.

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