Anzac Day

Today is ANZAC day, a day when we are to remember those who gave their lives in the defence of this country during war. Across Australia, many a dawn service was held in the memory of the fallen, thousands have marched in the cities and even more will engage in a ceremonial game of ‘two up’. It is a national public holiday.
For those with ancestors and relatives lost, it is a day of direct significance. Many people see their lost relatives & friends as ‘martyrs’ – lives given in the defence of the national values held so dearly. Many others not so directly involved also see the day from this perspective. The moniker ‘Lest We Forget’ is held high and mightily.
And this is where my confusion commences. ‘Lest We Forget’ is a great statement, but what are we to remember besides the individuals lost?
Certainly we should be remembering that it is a misdistribution of resources across the globe that causes the situations that lead to violent outcomes.
Certainly we should remember that it is the decision of the encumbered government regarding a nations participation in War.
Certainly we should remember that poverty, and all the deprivations that go with it are the causes of Fascism & Totalitarianism. WW2 would have never happened & Hitler would never have risen to power if the German populace was ‘comfortably well off’ post WW1. The whole human race is responsible for every violent act, every skirmish & every war.
Certainly we should remember that few governments seem to have learned the cost of war, in Human terms. ‘War’, has increasingly become a situation of ‘no winners’. Vietnam was unresolved & now the war in Iraq is in a similar situation. Our young men & women are simply ‘cannon fodder’ for our rulers.
Certainly we should take this day, and all it means, and project it into the future. Are we to continue using this most extreme form of violence in a world that has outgrown it?
Certainly we should understand that we are not ‘predisposed’, genetically or otherwise to the use of violence, and that it is certain that the world will find a future free of violence, one day.
Certainly we should work together to resolve the imbalance of resources. Certainly we should realise that we are all human, and we have but one planet to call home. We should look after both.
Certainly we should remove those people in positions of power & influence who fail to denounce violence, through ‘non-violent’ means. We do elect our governments, more or less. We do have some choice.
Vale to those who have lost their lives at the hands of other people through the futile violence of war.

Lest We Forget..

Living Peace Sign

MARCH 17, 2003, the day George Bush gave Saddam Hussein 48 hrs to capitulate. The invasion of Iraq had begun..
The fact is that this 'declaration of war', is a disaster. It has been a proven failure, as is all war. Any solution that involves the intentional killing of people and the dismantling of society is a failure. It is a crude, stupid, violent, trashing of humanity.
The HUMANIST MOVEMENT has acknowledged the anniversary of this poorest of decisions, over the past three years, by the assembling of the LIVING PEACE SYMBOL. Thousands of people have gathered in formation in locations across the globe for a truly valid reason - the promotion of Non-Violence & Peace.
This Saturday, March 17, we will be assembling Sydney's first 'Living Peace symbol'.
In true Aussie style, we'll be 'going to the beach' and gathering at -
MANLY BEACH, SOUTHERN END, OCEAN SIDE, opposite Victoria Parade. It would, of course, be great to see you there - the more people, the bigger the symbol!
The time will be 12 midday. Wear something bright/colourful, for photographic effect.
With Peace..

Manly Beach is the place!!

Amigos/Friends
We will meet at 12:00 midday, to assemble pretty soon after and disperse by 12:30 at the latest.
Southern End of Manly Beach, opposite Victoria Pde.
Wear bright coloured T-shirts, hats, etc.
No posters or signs. Just the people!

Worldwide Human Peace Signs' Day 2007

Wow... it's spreading. I can't wait for the day when the whole world is covered with little orange dots, or better, a time when there's no need for them.

Nuclear disarmament now! Before a bomb is used - afterwards it will be too late....

Humanists around the world are organising living peace symbols on Saturday the 17th March, 2007, to put pressure on world leaders to disarm all nuclear weapons arsenals. In Australia we will hold events in Sydney and Hobart. For more information see the links below or leave a comment and we'll get back to you...

A WORLD OF PEACE
a planet without nuclear weapons

Across the world scientists, artists, soldiers, women and men, young and old alike are saying: war is a disaster! At the beginning of the third millennium, on a planet where nowhere is isolated any more and where it is possible to know in real time what is happening in far away continents, one question resounds in the hearts of all people of the Earth: what future is there?

The events of recent years show the same tendency: nuclear re-armament, the control of the planet’s resources at all costs, the use of violence to resolve international, regional and local conflicts. Governments change colour but not policies, wars occur at a sustained rhythm, the profits of the arms industry increase and the declarations of the politicians are increasingly empty and further away from reality.

Violence envelops the planet like a blanket and touches everyone, becoming part of daily life and poisoning people's hearts. The declarations of the USA and France sustaining the possibility to use nuclear weapons in a first strike against terrorism, leaves everyone dismayed.

People across the planet are demanding: let’s give peace a chance!

http://www.centreofcultures.org.au/ - www.peacebound.org