BY NICK EVERETT
SYDNEY — Thousands are expected to attend an International Human Rights Day rally, march and festival on December 9, which organisers the Network Opposing War and Racism say will both oppose the carnage in Afghanistan and express solidarity with those seeking refuge in Australia.
NOWAR spokesperson Marina Carman says the day will provide "an important focus for the anti-war movement".
"It will provide an opportunity for the large number of Australians angered by their government's support for the war in Afghanistan to come out onto the streets and express their opposition", she said. "The conflict in Afghanistan must now be resolved by a peaceful settlement in which Afghan people — not the US government — decide how they are to be governed."
Carman says the broad platform of speakers will include Keysar Trad for the Muslim Welfare Association, representatives from the Afghan and Iraqi communities and NSW Greens MP Ian Cohen. Respresentatives of Catholics in Coalition for Justice and Peace, Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific and People for Nuclear Disarmament will also be speaking.
The event will commence at noon at Archibald fountain in Sydney's Hyde Park and march to a festival at Belmore Park.
Many musicians will perform at the festival, including rappers MC Trey and Elf Transporter, as well as Arabic drummers, the reggae band Kinky, a Flamenco band Revero and indigenous performer Will Jarret.
The anti-war rally will be preceded by an 11.30am rally organised by the Refugee Action Coalition at the War Memorial at the southern end of Hyde Park. RAC organisers explained that the rally will express solidarity with the many refugees fleeing war-torn Afghanistan, who are being turned away or locked up in Australia.
Meanwhile, trade union support for the peace cause continues to grow.
The union which represents private and Catholic school teachers called on November 23 for the federal government to withdraw Australian special forces troops destined for Afghanistan. The Independent Education Union of Australia said Prime Minister John Howard had engaged in crude warmongering in sending combat troops while ignoring pleas for humanitarian help and calls for peacekeeping forces.
The union is also seeking the commitment of significant funds for relief efforts in Afghanistan and for the deployment, under United Nations auspices, of a significant peacekeeping force to assist in maintaining security and reconstruction.
More than 70 union activists have so far endorsed a statement opposing the war and condemning the racist hysteria being built against people of the Middle East. The National Tertiary Education Union, the NSW Teachers Federation and the Public Service Association have endorsed supportive motions and are committed to bringing contingents to the rally.
[Anyone wanting to book a stall at the festival should contact Tara on 0403 902 455]
From 91×ÔÅÄÂÛ̳ Weekly, December 5, 2001.
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