Protest Calls for Government to "Actively Oppose" American War Plans and withdraw Frigate and Orion from the Gulf.

The Auckland No War march took place earlier this afternoon and in the resolutions enthusiastically endorsed by the crowd (police estimate 10,000 people) called on the Prime Minister to actively oppose American plans to invade Iraq and withdraw our frigate and orion from the Gulf.

The resolutions were:

"This rally condemns American plans to invade Iraq whether or not the UN Security Council is pressured to agree"

"This rally condemns the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive military strikes as a reckless threat to world peace"

This rally urges the New Zealand government to actively oppose American plans to invade Iraq and to withdraw our frigate and orion aircraft from the Gulf region"

No matter how much spin the government puts on it; no matter the subtle distinction the government tries to make between its intentions and American war plans, the simple fact is that the presence of the NZ military in the Gulf is seen as part of the American war machine - giving moral and strategic support to American war plans.

A "Peace in the Park" concert is on at Potters Park from 1pm tomorrow featuring the Topp Twins, Shona Laing and Don McGlashan

John Minto for the GPJA Committee

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