Candlelight Vigil to Be Held Outside John Keys House

Auckland residents will be gathering for a candlelight vigil outside John Key’s Parnell house this Sunday May 25th. The vigil is to commemorate the numerous deaths of civilians and the illegal killing of ‘supposed’ terrorists, including New Zealander Daryl Jones - killed by the US drone strike program, in which New Zealand is complicit.

Through the GCSB’s involvement in the 5 eyes program, New Zealand, led by John Key, is sharing intelligence with the US intelligence that supports and in some part enables US drone operations to go ahead.

“John Key has described these killings, which American journalist Jeremy Scahill reports includes more than 1000 civilians, as justified, but they are anything but justified. Extra-judicial killings are executions without trial and a total breach of the rules of law in any democratic state and the International Geneva conventions.” Says vigil co-organiser Eva Wrassky.

“By willingly sharing intelligence information and supporting the US drone strikes John Key is condemning New Zealand to being a culpable participant. We have no desire to be complicit in such killing programs and we have organised the vigil because we are disgusted with John Key’s blatant disrespect for human life and the democratic values that we identify with as New Zealanders.”

The vigil will start at 5pm, at John Key’s house, half way down St Stephens Ave, will include speeches from New Zealand’s leading war journalist Jon Stephenson, International Law professor Jane Kelsey and faith based leaders. Those coming to the vigil are being asked to bring candles and be reminded this is to be peaceful event.

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