MEDIA RELEASE
June 15, 2007

Peace Convergence Calls for An End to US-Australian war games

From June 18-24 peace activists, environmentalists and concerned citizens will join the community of Yeppoon in opposition to the Talisman-Sabre 07 joint war games. The organizers say people are concerned about the many ill effects increased war games in the area may have for the environment, the local community, the promotion of peace and Australia’s international relationships.

Spokesperson for the Shoalwater Wilderness Awareness Group, Steve Bishopric says, “We love the natural environment of Shoalwater, it’s a world heritage class area.  We don’t want to see it blown up and contaminated by increased military activities.  We are heartened to see a great number of Australians feel the same way by coming to this convergence.”

Dr Hannah Middleton, from the Australian Anti-Bases Coalition says, “The increased use of the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area by U.S. forces should set off alarm bells for Australians.  It signals a serious entanglement with U.S foreign policy and future involvement of our troops in more US-led wars.  It also plays a key part in the promulgation of nuclear wars through its part in the Star Wars missile defence system.”

Annette Brownlie, speaking for Just Peace says, “It’s time we took the advice of peace makers like the Dalia Lama, who  this week told the National Press Club ‘The time for war is past.  The challenge is to demilitarise internationally…. The 21st century needs to be the century of dialogue.’ ” 

Events planned include public meetings, concerts, film showings, photographic exhibitions, street marches, candlelight vigils, and ‘peace flotilla’ in Yeppoon harbour. Local and international speakers include those from communities in Guam and Hawaii affected by US military presence.

The highlights will be a June 16 Rally and Peace Gig planned for Brisbane, and actions, concerts and rallies on the weekend of June 23-24 in Yeppoon. 

The Peace Convergence is expecting up to a thousand participants from all over Australia.

Media contacts:
Steve Bishopric, Shoalwater Wilderness Awareness Group 0439 745 442
Dr Hannah Middleton, from the Australian Anti-Bases Coalition 0418 668 098
Annetter Brownlie, Just Peace 0413 597 256

Public Events for the Peace Convergence 2007

Saturday June 16
10.30am briefing for 11.30am start. Sharp!
Meet at St Mary's Church, Merivale St, West End, Brisbane.

Peace Gig @ Souths Leagues Club, West End, Brisbane. 7pm. Featuring Ghostwriters (Rob Hirst and Martin Rotsey from Midnight Oil), Bomba, Skins (feat. members of Blue King Bown), Grass Roots Street Orchestra, Leah Cotterall, The Incredible Strand and Dead Riot – as well as a slew of others.

Monday June 18
Children of the Gulf War Exhibition opens. 10am-6pm. Walter Reid Centre (Rocky)

Talisman Sabre 2007 - impacts & implications. 12 - 2pm. CQU Rockhampton.
Speakers: Steve Bishopric (SWAG), Zohl de Ishtar (ACPACS),  Fanai Castro (Guam), Robin Taubenfeld (FoE)

Peace Vigil @ barracks. 5:30pm. Western Street  Barracks. Western Street (nr) airport, Rockhampton.

Tuesday June 19
Peace Action - proposed to coincide with start of games. Time TBA, Rockhampton

Wednesday June 20
Children of the Gulf War Official Opening w Mayor of Rockhampton. 6 pm. Walter Reid Centre, Rockhampton.

Thursday June 21
Women's forum:  War & War Games... their impacts on women. 2pm. Walter Reid Centre (in COGW space), Rockhampton. Speakers:  Dr. Rachel Darken (MAPW), Dr. Zohl de Ishtar ACPAC) Fanai Castro (Guam)

STUDY WAR NO MORE! film night. 7pm. Walter Reid Centre, Rockhampton
Films: The Ground Truth  & Genie in the Bottle Unleashed. Speakers:  Dr Rachel Darken

Friday June 22
WELCOME FORUM 7pm- 9:30pm. Yeppoon Town Hall, Yeppoon.
Speakers: Steve Bishopric (SWAG), Dr.Helen Caldicott (NPRI), Dr. Zohl de Ishtar (Nobel Prize nominee, ACPACS), Fanai Castro (Guam)  Terri Keko'olani (Hawai'i) Hannah Middleton (AABCC) Kim Stewart (FoE), Kevin Clemens (ACPACS)

SaturdayJune 23
SWBTA MAIN GATE PEACE ACTION. 10am. Raspberry Creek Rd - Shoalwater

Peace Concert by  the Beach. 3pm Yeppoon. Featuring: Taj, Formations Band, Dead Riot, Joe Coll, Jeremiah, Love Ponies, Mish Chartfairy, Mother Love, Robbie Dunn, Benny Zable, Sandstone Hammers, Gulf War Syndrome, Steve Butler plus more… Speakers: Dr.Helen Caldicott (NPRI), Dr. Zohl de Ishtar (Nobel Prize nominee, ACPACS) Fanai Castro (Guam)  Terri Keko'olani (Hawai'i) Denis Doherty (AABCC), Pat O'Brien (WPAA) Sen Andrew Bartlett (Democrats), Larissa Waters (Greens)

Speakers Soapbox. 4pm-9pm.Yeppoon Town Hall, Yeppoon

SundayJune 24
Byfield  Peace Breakfast. 7am Byfield.

BIG GREAT PEACE Rally. 11am. Beaman Park Yeppoon

Closing Ceremony & Candlevigil. 5pm - 7pm, sunset. Yeppoon beach
(rain venue - Emu Park beach undercover)

25: Cycle Against the Nuclear Cycle:  launch action

The Peace Convergence is a collective of groups and individuals dedicated to peaceful non-violent actions against war and militarism

Ahimsa House - Anti Nuclear Alliance of WA  - Australian  Anti-Bases Coalition - Australian Democrats - Australian Greens - Brisbane Anarchists Subverting the Aust Representative Democracy - Brisbane Stop the War Collective - Byron Bay Peace Convergence - Cairns and Regional Environment Council - Dr. Helen Caldicott - Fanai Castro: Chamorro Movement, Guam - Christians Against  All Terrorism - Citizens Against Depleted Uranium - Cycle Against the Nuclear Cycle - Depleted Uranium Silent Killer - Food Not Bombs - Fremantle Anti Nuclear Group - Friends of the Earth Australia - Friends of the Earth Brisbane - Frontline Films - Greenpeace Australia Pacific - Dr. Zohl de Istar, Aust. Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies - Just Peace Queensland - Terri Keko'olani, Kanaka Maol Movement, Hawaii - Medical Association for the Prevention of War - Melbourne Peace Convergence - NSW Greens - Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific - Peace Convergence collective - People for Nuclear Disarmament (WA)- Pine Gap 6 - Professor Kevin Clements, Director Aust. Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies - Quakers Queensland - Queensland Conservation Council - Queensland Democrats - Queensland Greens - Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance - Sea Shepherd Conservation Society - Senator Andrew Bartlett - Shoalwater Wilderness Awareness Group - Spirit of Eureka - Sunshine Coast Environment Council - Dr. David Suzuki - Sydney Stop the War Coalition  - Uniting Church Justice Reference Group (Melb) - Whalecall - Wildlife Protection Association Australia - Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom - Ya Basta Collective, Kuranda