Free ANZAC Day Concert
This is a free concert for all ages. It will be held on Wellington’s Waterfront, 1-4pm, on Anzac Day, Thursday 25 April
2013. There is no wet weather venue. If it is poor weather, the event will be cancelled.
Peace groups are invited to have information displays. Quality craft and food stalls are also invited to attend. There
will be a range of activities for kids.
The concert itself will promote the shared desires of all peoples for world peace. The concert will also promote an
aspect of “ethical investment”; whether your savings and investments are invested in the manufacturing of weapons. Some
banks and investment companies will be asked to declare if they can state this, and the names of those that can will be
published in the advertisements.
In this way, people are exposed to the concept of choosing how their savings are invested, and actions they can take to
actively produce peace. Groups and individuals who can make this declaration and who wish to sponsor the event are
invited to contact the event organiser.
Various Wellington musicians have so far come forward to play. They include Matiu Te Huki, James Coyle, Matt Pike, Sam
Manzanza, Pip Payne, David Greer, The Relatives, the Stevie Ray Vaughn Tribute Band, and a “One World Band” to provide
backing for solo artists.
Organiser Martin Wilson says, “We all want world peace. So, let’s help build that. It won’t happen by itself!” In this
first year, Wilson has paid the advertising and concert expenses himself. He hopes that in future years, financial and
investment institutions that can declare their investments to be ethical in this way will want to support the event,
along with other businesses and individuals who support this declaration and event.
“The arms industry is often described as the second biggest industry in the world. Unfortunately, civilian casualties
outnumber military casualties in conflicts during the last one hundred years by a ratio of approximately ten-to-one
(International Committee of the Red Cross) . Non-combatants pay most of the price of armed conflicts, and it is a
horrific price. Suggestions for limiting this terrible trade include: prohibiting arms exports, arms imports, and the
manufacture of arms by the private sector; and the compulsory destruction of arms once their legitimate first purchaser
no longer needs them. Of course, the complete prohibition of various classes of weapons, including nuclear, and
land-mines, is needed immediately. Cambodia is still paying a terrible price from land-mines; and, incredibly, after 70
years, we all still face the unimaginable spectre of nuclear holocaust.”
“Weather permitting, it will be a very pleasant day for families, and a chance on this auspicious day for everyone to
express their shared desire for peace in our world” says Wilson.
ends