08/02/2003
International Peace Pilgrimage Towards A Nuclear Free Future
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08/02/2003 International Peace Pilgrimage Towards A Nuclear Free Future |
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INTERNATIONAL PEACE PILGRIMAGE UPDATE: AUGUST 2003 Hi everyone, Sorry about the delay with updates…. The last 6 weeks has been hectic… Atsuko Nogawa the organizer from Japan was here for 3 weeks and we journeyed out to Adelaide for the Students of Sustainability conference, after which we went on to Broken Hill to attend the No More Radioactive Genocide gathering. If anyone is in Melbourne on the 8th of August, there is a Hiroshima remembrance day at Latrobe Universities Along with the other events happening there, we will be showing a video of Sacred Run in Japan. During this run to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which was led by a group of Native Americans we meet with Ainu (Indigenous peoples of Northern Japan) and many Japanese Buddhist monks and others opposed to the Nuclear Industry. They are also trying to organize a screening of “We of little voice” the latest video from the Kupa Piti Kunga Tjuta (Traditional Aboriginal Women from across South Australia) Feel free to join us at Latrobe Uni between 12.30pm and 2.00pm Things are moving along with the walk, we are now getting a really good crew together to help with the organizing and logistics. Special thanks goes out to all the people now putting together fundraisers to help with the costs of organizing such a huge event. Feel free to contact us if you would like to get more involved Latrobe University will be hosting us from the 12th of November through to the 17th. We will then be leaving for Roxby Downs via Broken Hill, Honeymoon, Beverly, Lake Eyre and possibly Cooperpedy. Everyone is welcome to join us on this journey and we are encouraging people to come so as you can see for yourself what is really happening in the remote communities in these areas. Our wish list is growing, If anyone knows where we can get a water trailer or something to haul water. We are estimating that we will need about 1,200 liters a day while we are in the hot dry summer of December, January and February. Also we are looking for vans or busses that can transport everyone to Roxby Downs from Melbourne in mid November, with the possibility of having to bring some of the International representatives back to Melbourne in early December. We are always looking for people to help coordinate in their own areas… Feel free to contact us for more info nuclearfreefuture@fuse.net Interest from overseas has been growing and we are now expecting about fifty International representatives to be attending the conference at Melbourne University on November 15th & 16th. (Visas pending) Half will be staying to do the whole Pilgrimage Kevin Buzzacott - Australia Dave Sweeny, ACF - Australia Dr. Jim Green, FOE - Australia Jacob Grech, Oz Peace - Australia Lynn Alison, Democrats - Australia Hiroshima Survivors (2) Gensukin - Japan Pompey, Ainu - Japan Ban - San, Citizens Nuclear Information Centre - Japan Sasamori - Shonin, Nipponzan Myohoji - Japan Hiroshima Mayor (by video), City Council - Japan Dennis Banks, American Indian Movement - USA Ralph Hutchinson, OREPA - USA Jeffrey McKenzie, Military Families Speak Out - USA Billy Ledger, Veterans For Peace - USA Corbin Harney (by video), Shundahai - USA Gerti Oelmack, Anti-nuke Activist - Austria Mr. Ghulam Murtaza Nasir Haqooq-E-Insani Welfare Society High Court Advocate - Pakistan Mr. Ehile Manasseh Worth National President International Center For Regional and &nbps; Ethnic Conflicts Resolution - Nigeria Mrs. Zinsou Bode Ameyo, Mawusse Madje President Commission in charge of Peace Building and Non-Violent conflict resolution - Togo Mr. Ishmeal Davies National Director International Campaign For Peace And Human Rights organization - Sierra Leone Mr. Ngwa Anyele Eugene, Field Assistant Ecumenical Service For Peace - Cameroon Although things were quite hectic while we were in Adelaide and Broken Hill, it was great to finally catch up with a lot of the people who are helping to make this event possible. Atsuko also presented the Indigenous representatives of the Kupa Piti Kunga Tjuta with 1000 Peace Cranes (many being made by people in Japan who are becoming aware of their story) She is telling everyone that there is a great energy in Australia at the moment, and they really have to come and check it out…. After being back in Japan for well over a week now, and traveling with a group of Hiroshima survivors. She is getting a great response from people. Many are now planning to attend the conference. As this week is the Anniversary of Hiroshima & Nagasaki there will be many events happening here and through out the world. Here in Australia we MUST take the time to remember the Atomic bombs that were much larger than these two bombs, and also detonated around innocent communities, and without the permission of the Indigenous Peoples of those lands. We must also realize that these remote communities are continuously at the front of the struggle against the Nuclear Industry. It is these communities that are endlessly exposed to the main dangers of the Nuclear Industry , through the mining and the dumping of radioactive waste. We look forward to seeing everyone at the upcoming events and on the road as we walk through your communities. If you would like to contribute to costs of organizing this event. (all done by volunteers) All donations are greatly appreciated Please send your donation to: International Peace Pilgrimage PO Box 430 Wonthaggi 3995, Victoria, Australia Peace Marcus Atkinson Check out the International Peace Pilgrimage homepage https://peacehq.tripod.com/OSIPP/ipp-home.html |
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