Wollongong council votes against war
BY GRANT COLEMAN
WOLLONGONG — Following the 5000-strong anti-war rally on February 8, the local council voted to reaffirm Wollongong as a "city of peace", opposing war on Iraq and supporting the return of all troops sent to Iraq.
The council voted to publish an open letter to the prime minister in the local newspaper. The letter opposes the involvement of "Australian citizens in a pre-emptive strike and ensuing war on Iraq".
It states that the people of Wollongong "do not believe that Iraq poses a credible threat to Australia or its friends, or that attacking Iraq will solve the problem of the proliferation of weapons."
Wollongong Council has also urged other local councils throughout NSW to take this step in opposing war on Iraq. Kiama Council is expected to pass a similar resolution in the next week.
Valentines Day — Street theatre says make love not war
BY BRIANNA PIKE
DARWIN — "Valentines Day is all about love, compassion and respect — all of which war on Iraq are not", No War Committee spokesperson Chris Atkinson told media on February 14.
Taking this sentiment, Darwin's No War Committee organised a "make love not war" street theatre media event in the city's Smith St mall on February 14. Beneath a huge love heart, lovers Prime Minister John Howard and US President George Bush wooed each other with gifts, champagne and caresses.
Passers-by bought more than a hundred badges saying "make love not war", "be a love-dove, say no war on Iraq" and "kiss me don't bomb me". Many white ribbons for peace were also snapped up by supportive passers-by.
While not publicly advertised, more than fifty people gathered around to watch the performance, while hundreds signed petitions, bought badges or ribbons or took leaflets for Sunday's protest to show their opposition to war on Iraq.
Asked if he thought the war could be actually be stopped, Atkinson replied, "absolutely. We've prevented it so far and we'll continue protesting until we've let Howard know that he can't take us into this unjustifiable war."
[To get involved in the No War Committee, ph 8981 4714 or 0401 260 439 or email no_war_nt@yahoo.com.au].
Lighthouse opposes war
BY ALISON DELLIT
At 11 am on February 11, film maker Dean Jeffreys and peace activist Gareth Smith hung peace banners from the top of Byron Bay Lighthouse. Activists on the ground stretched out a 10-metre "No War" banner and waved rainbow and red-heart-covered flags in support.
"We have turned the Byron lighthouse into a beacon of hope for peace in Iraq today", Smith explained. "Germany and France have shown us a better way than war and Australia should give their plan its backing. People all around the world are mutinying against governments that want to be part of President George Bush's 'coalition of the willing'".
From Green Left Weekly, February 19, 2003.
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