Media Release: Action Training kicks off Week of Peace
From: Auckland Peace Action
Date: Sunday, 13 November 2016

The Week of Peace kicked off today with non-violent direct action training of peace activists.

Auckland Peace Action is organising the Week of Peace from 13-20 November in Auckland in response to the Weapons Expo and navy warships visit.

“Non-violent direct action means that we are prepared to put our bodies on the line to stop war and injustice. We will be doing that with our blockade of the Weapons Expo on Wednesday at the Viaduct Events Centre,” said Auckland Peace Action spokesperson Virginia Lambert.

“There will be 550 arms dealers at the Weapons Expo to showcase their hardware and make deals. It is abhorrent that people profit from selling the tools of mass murder. This is why we are taking action. The trainings help us to prepare both mentally and physically.”

The training today included role-plays about what might happen while blockading, along with workshops on non-violence, legal and safety issues, said Ms Lambert.

“The training is great preparation for doing action. It gives participants an opportunity to actually practice peace action,” said Ms Lambert.

“Non-violent direct action has a long history in the peace movement. Many people associate it with Gandhi and the struggle for independence in India. Here, it goes back to Parihaka in the 1880s; people pulled up survey pegs to stop land confiscation. This week we will use it to stop arms dealers from doing their business.”

ENDS

Full list of Week of Peace Events
Non-violent Direct Action Training
Monday 14th
This training sessions will help people to prepare for the blockade with discussions around tactics, role-plays, legal information and safety info: Monday, 14 Nov (6pm-9pm) – both at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road.
Dr. Helen Caldicott speaks
Tuesday 15 November 7:30 AUT lecture theatre WG403 (fourth floor)
Hear the woman who inspired a movement on why we must work against war today. Tickets available from the Peace Foundation
Blockade the Weapons Expo!
16 November 8am Silo Park (Beaumont Street and Jellicoe Street)
Help stop war – be part of creating the Peace Zone around the international Weapons Expo happening at the Viaduct Events Centre. This is a family-friendly event where we use peaceful means to stop the conference on the day. Facebook event here.
Karanga Tangaroa to launch Peace Flotilla
17 November 9am Mission Bay
On the Mission Bay, the Pacific Panthers will karanga ki Tangaroa – a call out to Tangaroa, prior to the launching of the Peace Flotilla. This is a response to the NZ Navy use of ‘Tangaroa’ in their war training operations title ‘Mahi Tangaroa’ to justify this fleet of warships as weapons of war. Please join to support the call and launch of the flotilla.
The Peace Flotilla will leave from Mission Bay & people are invited to bring boats, kayaks and dinghies and get out on the water. Flotilla facebook event here.
Wall of Noise: Drown out the Death Merchants
Thursday 17 Nov 6pm @ Viaduct Events Centre
On the second day of the Weapons Expo, we will be targeting the awards ceremony and gala dinner happening inside with our own Wall of Noise outside. We encourage people to come along with noisemakers, instruments, banners and placards – and help to drown out the weapons dealers’ party happening inside. We want these death merchants to know that war is not a party, and making money from war is abhorrent. This is a great opportunity for people who are unable to get to the Blockade to come show your support in the evening. Let’s dance, drum and make a din in opposition to war profiteering.
Facebook event here
Peace Ships NOT Warships
20 November 1pm @ The Cloud
On Sunday, we’ll be down at the warships’ open day with a peace response – we’ll have peace banners & educational materials with the aim of talking to people visiting the warships about the devastation of these weapons. We want to educate people that this Navy birthday is not a celebration but a cynical recruiting drive and public relations exercise to secure consent for just allocated $20 billion spending for new weapons. Please bring your picnic blankets, food and peace banners and messages to make our presence known. Facebook event here
Prayers for Peace
Sunday 20 Nov 1:30pm outside Holy Trinity Church,
Join us as we acknowledge and honour the victims of war and those who have conscientiously objected to war service. We’ll be gathering for prayers at 1.30pm and will start a short service at 2pm. There will be songs and prayers as we reflect on how we all hold some responsibility for the conflicts we see in our world. We will ask God to make clear to us how we can bring peace into our homes, our communities and our world. All are welcome. These prayerful events will coincide with the Royal NZ Navy 75th Anniversary church service being held in the cathedral. Facebook event here

© Scoop Media