Occupation is not liberation

Peace and anti-war activists will be taking to the streets on Sunday May 4 to oppose the US-led occupation of Iraq. The protest has been called by Christchurch¹s Peace Action Network (PAN), and will begin at 2pm in Cathedral Square.

"The invasion and occupation of Iraq is not about liberation, weapons of mass destruction or September 11. It is about oil and demonstrating US power," said PAN spokesperson David Colyer.

Over the last few weeks, tens of thousands of Iraqis have protested demanding self-determination the immediate withdrawal of coalition troops from their country.

"We will be marching in solidarity with the protesters in Iraq," said PAN spokesperson Dan Rae.

In October 2001 US Vice President Dick Cheney called for a war without end. Since then the US has led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Now they are threatening Syria and other countries.

The New Zealand government is contributing to this by sending troops to Afghanistan, a frigate to the Gulf, by letting the US have an airforce base at Christchurch airport and by supplying information form the Waihopia spy base.

The Peace Action Network believes that we can have a world with social justice and without war. In short: another world is possible.

We will be exploring these ideas at the National Peace Workshops, Which will be held here in Christchurch, from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 May, Coppertop Room, University of Canterbury.

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