kim kaos

The 2007 Peace Convergence took place at Yeppoon and surrounding areas June 18-24. Over 500 people and 50 peace and environment groups from all over Australia to highlight the social and environmental effects of the Talisman Sabre Joint US-Australian War Games held at Shoalwater Bay Military Training area on the QLD coast.

Numerous events and actions were organised by the local community and various peace groups including a lively and colourful street parade of about 1000 people that transformed the streets of Yeppoon, and edifying public meeting that included Dr Helen Caldicott and a fantastic peace concert in the Yeppoon City Hall. One highlight was a community barbeque held to allow our international guests to meet the
local indigenous Darumbal people in Rockhampton.

“Practicing for war only means more war. That is why we must imagine peace, embody
peace, practice peace.” - Rev. Simon Moyle, a Peace Convergence arrestee

Terri Keko’olani and Leimaile Quitevis from Kapai ‘Aina (Hawaii) and Fania Castro from Gua’han (Guam) spoke in solidarity with the people living in the shadow of the SWB base and to foreshadow the risks posed by increased US military activities in our backyards. Thanks to the Anti-Bases Coaltion and members of the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies for bringing them here. Both Hawaii and Guam are host to a massive US military presence and have seen environmental damage, social upheaval and dispossession of their ancestral homes as a result. There were also numerous forums, film screenings including a new short film by David Bradbury,

“The military say their activities in the Great Barrier Reef will not harm the environment. But the fact is, they cannot avoid it. Even their everyday munitions and maintenance chemicals
contain contaminants, including heavy metals and perchlorate, known to harm the environment.” - Kim Stewart, FoE Brisbane.

Actions during the week included a peace vigil at Rockhampton airbase, trips to the gate of the facility where numerous people were arrested, two people locked onto a US troop carrier in Rockhampton, another group engaged in a “Make Love, Not War” action outside the base gates which resulted in more arrests. Seven people in two groups spent four days inside the base before approaching military personnel; Five people entered an airstrip within the base and played Frisbee with personnel before arrested – risking their lives in an effort to stop war games that directly link Australia to the ongoing deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan and commit us to future US-led wars.

“We love the natural environment of Shoalwater, it’s a world heritage class area. We don’t want to see it blown up and contaminated by increased military activities. We are heartened to see a great number of Australians feel the same way by coming to this convergence.” - Steve Bishopric, Shoalwater Wilderness Awareness Group

Seventeen were charged with Trespass on Commonwealth Land, arising from entering the base on five different occasions during the military training exercises.

“The law exists to preserve the peace, not shelter war mongers” said another arrestee Jessica Morrison. “When our Government is supporting illegal wars, the community must act.”

The many campers were in high spirits despite the constant rain and cold over the week of protests.

The presence of the Food Not Bombs collective making free meals available at camp and at events and the Nimbin Chai Tent providing a dry meeting place at one of the camps was greatly appreciated.

Perhaps a telling statement of the success of the week of actions came in the statement made by Yeppoon Mayor, Bill Ludwig who told local ABC that he would rather see the training area turned into a national park.

Certainly ongoing war games cannot guarantee the preservation of this invaluable dugong and green turtle habitat, and nothing less than an end to the base will guarantee the saftey and mental health of the local population from military contamination. As for the war in Iraq, the attendees of the Peace Convergence will continue to oppose that everywhere. Solidarity actions took place in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide and follow-up actions occurred at some ports visited by US nuclear-powered vessels.

“…With Shoalwater Bay to become a permanent training base with thousands of US troops rotating through it annually, Australians need to hear the experiences of people who live
near US military training grounds.” - Denis Doherty, Australian Anti-Bases Coalition

Talisman Sabre occurs again in 2009. To get involved see www.peaceconvergence.com

Photos: http://peaceconvergence.com/gallery/

News Media of the events: http://peaceconvergence.com/news/36

Peace Convergence Media Releases: http://peaceconvergence.com/news