Protest Weapons Expo:
Assemble: 8am Chinese Garden of Friendship, 8.30am march to ICC, Speakers and Performers 9.00am-11.30am
Keynote Speakers: Sue Higginson MLC – Greens NSW, Marcus Strom – Labor Against War, Shane Reside – Maritime Union of Australia
“This will be a peaceful protest, aiming to expose the broad range of global weapons manufacturers taking part in this Expo, many of which have tested their weapons on civilians in Gaza, in what is clearly a genocide, in defiance of international law,” said one of the organisers, Pip Hinman.
“The Expo is focusing on maritime military power, and the AUKUS project is the golden honey-pot drawing them together. They are preparing for a war with China and determined to make super profits from the massive arms build-up now underway. This is Australian people’s money which is urgently needed for climate action, public housing, health and education,” said another organiser, Peter Murphy.
“We are aghast that the NSW State and the Federal Labor Governments are sponsoring this weapons expo, and we are determined to build a movement strong enough to stop this kind of event and to stop AUKUS. We greatly appreciate the decision of the City of Sydney Council to oppose this Expo and to call for no further such events to take place in the City,” said Denis Doherty, also an organiser.
“UN commissioner Chris Sidoti has warned that the federal defence department’s involvement in the expo could be a breach of Australia’s obligations under the Genocide Convention,” they said.
Weapons manufacturers at the Expo include BAE Systems, Elbit Systems, Lockheed Martin, Rafael, Raytheon and Boeing, which are all profiting from the Gaza genocide.
Sponsoring organisations: Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition, Labor Against War, Greens NSW, Maritime Union of Australia, Wollongong Against War and Nukes, Migrante Australia, Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition, Pace e Bene, Pax Christi, Sydney Knitting Nannas and Friends, Jews Against the Occupation ’48, Independent and Peaceful Australia Network, International Campaign for Abolition of Nuclear Weapons, Students Against War, Socialist Alliance, Solidarity, Communist Party of Australia, Wage Peace.
Media releases
7 March 2022
The Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition condemns the announcement of nuclear submarine bases in Brisbane, Port Kembla or Newcastle as a cynical election pitch which ignores the interests of the millions of people living in and near these cities, and pre-empts any community discussion of the AUKUS war project.
During the pandemic the Government devoted much of its energies to organise the AUKUS pact while health supplies failed. Similarly, amid the greatest flood catastrophe the Government is devoting its energies to a military ‘hairy chested’ display. The basing of nuclear-powered submarines on the east coast and the setting aside of $10 billion for such activities is again Australia beating the drums of war rather calming down the international situation.
Morrison is creating fear in the Australian community to help him electorally and allow a massive increase in military spending.
The Government has ignored the counter-arguments against nuclear-powered submarines which will see our Australian Defence Force (ADF) become a part of US strategy rather than protecting our maritime routes. The nuclear-powered element means that Australia is a step closer to nuclear weapons as well as the foundation of a nuclear-power industry.
The nuclear-powered submarines based close to major population centres is a recipe for disaster with the possibility of accidents and the spread of nuclear pollution around valuable food sources such as fisheries and areas of recreation. These oceans are the sites for offshore alternative energy wind farms.
“Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a golden opportunity to ramp up military spending and Morrison is using it to its full extent so his government can pretend they have the interests of the Australian people at heart. The reality is that the only winners from a khaki election are the arms corporations. The only outcome from the relentless war talk is a larger more destructive war.”
Healthcare>Warfare
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© 2023 Sydney Anti-AUKUS Colaition
