NZ tour: Iraq bombing eyewitness

Ruth Russell’s speaking tour begins tomorrow, Thursday 17 July - with a live interview on the Breakfast programme, TV1, sometime between 8-05 and 8-15am. Details of her public meetings and workshops are included below.

‘An eyewitness account of the invasion of Iraq’

Ruth Russell, a human shield in Iraq during the bombing, will be speaking in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch from 17 and 21 July. More information about Ruth is available on-line at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/ruth.htm

* Auckland * Thursday, 17 July - ‘An eyewitness account of the invasion of Iraq’ - Ruth Russell, from South Australia, was a human shield in Baghdad for eight weeks, including three weeks protecting a humanitarian site during the bombing which began in March 2003. She speaks about her experience there, what she and other human shields saw during the invasion; her talk is illustrated with photos taken at the time. "I decided to pack my bags and go to Baghdad because I believed this was the strongest statement I could make that this war was both illegal and morally wrong. So my first and most important effort was to speak out to try to prevent war. Right up until the last moment I thought the incredible world opinion and lack of any UN Resolution would work ­ the people of the world did not want it - only three out of 180 countries supported the US government. When war was declared, I chose to stay at the Taji Food Silo to prevent bombing of this UN designated humanitarian site." Hear Ruth’s story at 7-30pm, St Colomba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby, Auckland. Organised by WILPF, for more information contact Joan tel (09) 360 8001 or email mailto:joanmac@pl.net

* Wellington * Friday, 18 July - ‘An eyewitness account of the invasion of Iraq’ - Ruth Russell, from South Australia, was a human shield in Baghdad for eight weeks, including three weeks protecting a humanitarian site during the bombing which began in March 2003. She speaks about her experience there, what she and other human shields saw during the invasion; her talk is illustrated with photos taken at the time. "I decided to pack my bags and go to Baghdad because I believed this was the strongest statement I could make that this war was both illegal and morally wrong. So my first and most important effort was to speak out to try to prevent war. Right up until the last moment I thought the incredible world opinion and lack of any UN Resolution would work ­ the people of the world did not want it - only three out of 180 countries supported the US government. When war was declared, I chose to stay at the Taji Food Silo to prevent bombing of this UN designated humanitarian site." Hear Ruth’s story from 6pm to 7-30pm, at St Andrew's on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington. Organised by Peace Movement Aotearoa, for more information contact tel (04) 382 8129 or email mailto:pma@xtra.co.nz

* Wellington * Saturday, 19 July - ‘Peace: the sensible alternative to war’, an empowering community workshop run by Ruth Russell, human shield in Iraq, which provides opportunities for participants to work through the many outcomes of peace and war - personal, social, environmental, economic and political. From 2-30pm to 4-30pm, Athena College, 203 Willis Street, Wellington; please RSVP if you are planning on attending so we have some idea of the number of people coming. Organised by Peace Movement Aotearoa, for more information contact tel (04) 382 8129 or email mailto:pma@xtra.co.nz

* Christchurch * Sunday, 20 July - ‘An eyewitness account of the invasion of Iraq’ - Ruth Russell, from South Australia, was a human shield in Baghdad for eight weeks, including three weeks protecting a humanitarian site during the bombing which began in March 2003. She speaks about her experience there, what she and other human shields saw during the invasion; her talk is illustrated with photos taken at the time. "I decided to pack my bags and go to Baghdad because I believed this was the strongest statement I could make that this war was both illegal and morally wrong. So my first and most important effort was to speak out to try to prevent war. Right up until the last moment I thought the incredible world opinion and lack of any UN Resolution would work ­ the people of the world did not want it - only three out of 180 countries supported the US government. When war was declared, I chose to stay at the Taji Food Silo to prevent bombing of this UN designated humanitarian site." Hear Ruth’s story from 3pm till 5pm, WEA Centre, 59 Gloucester St. Organised by WILPF, Otautahi/Christchurch, for more information contact Janine or Adrienne tel (03) 348 1350 or email mailto:janine@disarmsecure.org or mailto:adrienne@disarmsecure.org

* Auckland * Monday, 21 July - ‘Peace: the sensible alternative to war’, an empowering community workshop run by Ruth Russell, human shield in Iraq, which provides opportunities for participants to work through the many outcomes of peace and war - personal, social, environmental, economic and political. From 7-30pm to 9-30pm, Flat 1, 5 Seymour Street, St Mary’s Bay, Auckland; please RSVP if you are planning on attending so we have some idea of the number of people coming. Organised by WILPF, for more information, or to RSVP, contact Joan tel (09) 360 8001 or email mailto:joanmac@pl.net

Ruth’s speaking tour is sponsored by Peace Movement Aotearoa (PMA) and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). If you are able to assist with the cost of the tour, please send a cheque payable to Peace Movement Aotearoa, and a note saying it is for the Ruth Russell tour, to PMA, PO Box 9314, Wellington. A tax deductible receipt will be sent for all donations, so remember to include your name and address. Thank you.

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