Week of Peace actions & updated timetable

The Week of Peace starts Sunday 13 November.  We’ve got lots of news about the peace events happening. Please join in when & where you can.

Non-violent Direct Action Training
Saturday 12th, Sunday 13 & Monday 14th
These training sessions will help people to prepare for the blockade with discussions around tactics, role-plays, legal information and safety info: Saturday 12 Nov (2pm-5pm @ Morra Hall, Waiheke), Sunday, 13 Nov (2pm-5pm) and Monday, 14 Nov (6pm-9pm) – both at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road.

Dr. Helen Caldicott speaks
Tuesday 15 November 7:30 AUT lecture theatre WG403 (fourth floor)
Hear the woman who inspired a movement on why we must work against war today. Tickets available from the Peace Foundation

Blockade the Weapons Expo!
16 November 8am Silo Park (Beaumont Street and Jellicoe Street)
Help stop war – be part of creating the Peace Zone around the international Weapons Expo happening at the Viaduct Events Centre. This is a family-friendly event where we use peaceful means to stop the conference on the day. Facebook event here.

Karanga Tangaroa
17 November 9am Mission Bay
On the Mission Bay, the Pacific Panthers will karanga ki Tangaroa – call out to Tangaroa. This is a response to the NZ Navy use of ‘Tangaroa’ in their war training operations title ‘Mahi Tangaroa’ to justify this fleet of warships as weapons of war. Please join to support the call.

Wall of Noise: Drown out the Death Merchants
Thursday 17 Nov 6pm @ Viaduct Events Centre
On the second day of the Weapons Expo, we will be targeting the awards ceremony and gala dinner happening inside with our own Wall of Noise outside. We encourage people to come along with noisemakers, instruments, banners and placards – and help to drown out the weapons dealers’ party happening inside. We want these death merchants to know that war is not a party, and making money from war is abhorrent. This is a great opportunity for people who are unable to get to the Blockade to come show your support in the evening. Let’s dance, drum and make a din in opposition to war profiteering.
Facebook event here

Peace Flotilla
Saturday 19 November 12:30 – 2:30pm
People are invited to bring boats, kayaks and dinghies and get out on the water. Flotilla facebook event here. To lend support on land please meet near the Wynyard Bridge on the viaduct with your banners and placards.

Peace Ships NOT Warships
Sunday 20 November 1pm @ The Cloud
On Sunday, we’ll be down at the warships’ open day with a peace response – we’ll have peace banners & educational materials with the aim of talking to people visiting the warships about the devastation of these weapons. We want to educate people that this Navy birthday is not a celebration but a cynical recruiting drive and public relations exercise to secure consent for just allocated $20 billion spending for new weapons. Please bring your picnic blankets, food and peace banners and messages to make our presence known. Facebook event here

Prayers for Peace
Sunday 20 Nov 2pm outside Holy Trinity Church,
Join us as we acknowledge and honour the victims of war and those who have conscientiously objected to war service. We’ll be gathering for prayers at 1.30pm and will start a short service at 2pm. There will be songs and prayers as we reflect on how we all hold some responsibility for the conflicts we see in our world. We will ask God to make clear to us how we can bring peace into our homes, our communities and our world. All are welcome. These prayerful events will coincide with the Royal NZ Navy 75th Anniversary church service being held in the cathedral. Facebook event here

Other events organised in the Week of Peace

The Week of Peace Actions have inspired other groups to hold peace events.

Conversazione: Navies, warships, arms, war and peace: From the perspective of our faiths.
Monday, 14 November 6pm-8pm
University of Otago House, 385 Queen Street
The Religious Diversity Centre invites you to nibbles with conversation. With special guest Imam Afroz Ali from Sydney.

March for Peace.
Saturday 19 November, 2pm-4pm
Aotea Square to Britomart
Say NO to War! Organised by People for Peace. Facebook here.

Stop all Military Ties with Indonesia!
Sunday 20 November 11am @ The Cloud
Organised by Oceania Interrupted
• Oceania Interrupted opposes the presence of Indonesian warship in Auckland Harbour and all defence ties with the Indonesian military.
• Aotearoa/New Zealand restored defence training ties to Indonesia in 2007.
• Join us and show your disapproval for ongoing abuses committed by the Indonesian military and for their failure to hold accountable those responsible for decades of documented human rights abuses against the West Papuan people.
Facebook here.

The Week of Peace is full of meaningful ways for us to take action against war. Please join in when and where you can.

We’ll see you in the streets!