Greenpeace joint march for Peace

Anti-War Aotearoa and Greenpeace joint March for Peace - the hīkoi will demand that Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the Coalition Government prioritise people and the planet over imperial aggression and immediately halt any involvement in US-led wars.

The groups are urging the Government to implement fully independent foreign policy grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, diplomacy, and international law - "the nation’s environmental and international priorities are fundamentally linked".

The argument - 'We oppose Luxon and the coalition Government allowing Aotearoa to be drawn into Trump’s wars, and we strongly oppose the minerals deal being negotiated to fuel those wars,” says O’Flynn. “We call for an independent foreign policy in Aotearoa that prioritises peace, upholds the UN charter, and supports the wellbeing of people and the planet. We must not sell off Aotearoa’s natural places to the highest bidding war-monger.”

Marching for Aotearoa to become a voice for peace and reason in an increasingly unstable world, rather than acting as a supporting player in these illegal, foreign wars,” - uniting behind several core demands:

The government must condemn the illegal US-Israeli attack on Iran, which has caused global instability.

- No military support or deployment of New Zealand troops, aircraft, naval assets, rockets, or intelligence support to US-led wars of aggression.

- New Zealand must refuse any war minerals deals with the Trump administration.

- Implement immediate and meaningful sanctions on Israel to help end the genocide in Gaza. New Zealand must stand with those living under occupation and demand an end to the collective punishment of civilians.

- Consistently uphold the UN Charter and support the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) cases regarding war crimes, including South Africa’s case against Israel.

 

Well - they had their march - and as yet I am not aware of any specific outcome.

You will note this is sent after-the-fact - it has to be this way for me - and despite GRE - I am unable to comment further.  While I believe in NZ'ers freedom of speech, and rights to protest - I am unable to either promote or condone these actions.

I know this however - Peace is Peace.  War has a use, but not at our expense.  

US does a lot for NZ, US forces can easily employ thousands of NZ citizens in our own country for our better technology, implementation and protection.  Many other US agencies also do.  Belonging or not belonging to an International agency does not guarantee right of safety or ultimate protection for NZ.  

Look how hard our NZ Police are fighting daily to keep on the ground - with little or no force or agency representation.  Register the constant attacks our embassies are under - here in NZ, or globally.

Greenpeace is right in its targeting war-bound resources, this is a far larger financial expense and human cost than many environmental causes and claims.  GRE attempts to remain focussed on oceanic and coastal issues, but International warships in our waters constitutes a breach of our rights to Peace - and could eventually reflect the shape of Rangitoto.

So many if, buts and maybe's.

We had a UN conference here earlier this year - where were you then?  ... because it was peaceful - 3rd nation progression, and you knew it.  What the UN is all about - Peace.

I ask - you keep your protest agendas to a single topic, you keep them ruly and reasonable, you manage them yourselves - coalitioned protests are inviting aggression and attack; people join due to the size, an idea they are part of it all (not just some); and forget the reason they are there - supporting Peace - which at that point no longer exists for the people walking up the road, the businesses they pass, the fringe areas around each stop - including beaches, harbours and rocks.

You all live, stay, migrated, or repatriated to, or in, New Zealand for its Peace - come out and join it - walk in the park, play in the fields, ride down the road, take a trip on the harbour; educate yourselves in your spare time, keep gainfully occupied in your communities - it is all there to enjoy!

Try that instead.