AUSTRALIA – Brisbane
AUSTRALIA – Darwin
Peace activists say ‘Yankee, Go Home!’
The Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) condemned the arrival of the US Marines in Darwin. Learn more here. Read the IPAN media release for GDAMS.
AUSTRALIA – Perth
On Monday 13th, over lunch hour, the People for Nuclear Disarmament in Western Australia hand out almost 300 leaflets in Perth. The venue, thanks again to Uniting Church in the City, Perth, was outside Wesley Church in Perth.
They managed some good discussions and signatures for the letter they wrote to Julie Bishop, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, to urge her to look a fresh at Australia’s military spending.
AUSTRALIA – Sydney
Film showing of a Guiness Book of Record attempt at holding the most demonstrations on the one day in Canberra 2014. The record was achieved by visiting many arms traders with offices in Canberra. The record was achieved! 28!
Click to watch ‘Pacing for Peace’
On April 14th, The band Draw released the video clip of their song “Wave Rider Blues” which contains footage from the nuclear weapon test operation Tumbler-Snapper. It is their response to ‘the threat of nuclear war’ and a call to ”work together to stop nuclear proliferation and protect life on this planet from annihilation.’ Links to the Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR).
Watch and listen to “Wave Rider Blues” by Draw.
JAPAN
The delegation of Hibakusha (survivors of the atomic bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki) set off to sail on Peace Boat‘s 87th Global Voyage. They joined GDAMS, calling for the reallocation of resources from the military, creating a world free of nuclear weapons and for lasting peace. More details here.
‘In addition, the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) Northeast Asia, for which Peace Boat acts as secretariat, issued a statement expressing concerns about the increase in military spending and ongoing military buildup in the region and making recommendation for the peaceful resolution of the current tensions in the region. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II and of the division of the Korean Peninsula. Yet full peace and reconciliation is far from being achieved in Northeast Asia.’
Please read and sign the online petition about GDAMS: Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict-Northeast Asia reiterates “the important role Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution has played as a foundation for peace and stability in Northeast Asia.”
NEW ZEALAND – Wellington
Peace Movement Aotearoa published a press release : « Global military spending remains shockingly high ». Global and national military spending, as well as the other costs and consequences of militarism, were the topic of the opening presentation of their National Peace Workshops.
PHILIPPINES – Santiago City
The Stop the War! Coalition Philippines organized a kite-flying event in northern Philippines. It was such a success that it attracted television news coverage.
Click on the image to watch the GDAMS ‘Kite of peace’ fly!
PHILIPPINES – Manila
Stop the War! Coalition Philippines and ZOTO, co-organized the ‘Youth Leaders’ Forum-workshop on military spending’ and a mural painting for youth and students in an urban poor community. Watch the activity video.
SOUTH KOREA – Jeju Island
Not only in Seoul but also in Ganjeong village, Jeju island which have struggled to maintain their peace against the construction of a Jeju naval base, activists and villagers conducted campaign with same slogan ‘Welfare Not Warfare’. Jeju island is located at the southern part of the Republic of Korea.
SOUTH KOREA – Seoul
The GDAMS Preparatory Committee of Korea organized 4 major projects and activities in the context of GDAMS on behalf of 32 peace organizations in Korea.
1. GDAMS Korea Official Website launch
GDAMS Korea official website was launched on April 13. The site explained global military expenditure, military spending in Korea and what could be done instead of purchasing weapons.
2. Joint Press Conference by Parliamentarians and Civil Society
A joint statement was issued by parliamentarians and civil society in South Korea on the Global Day of Action on Military Spending entitled ‘Welfare Not Warfare’. Fifteen MPs and 32 NGOs endorsed this statement and had a joint press conference in front of Parliament.
It was significant given that this year was 70th anniversary of the partition of the Korean peninsula and Sewol Ferry a year memorial. The press conference suggested the way toward the safety of the citizens, not national security and toward peace and cooperation, not military expansion.
3. SNS Campaign
A campaign through SNS was hold titled ‘If I had 3.7 billion won, I would #move the money to…’ from April 13th and 30th. Lots of citizen shared their ideas what they would do.
4. Media Campaign
Series of articles on GDAMS campaign were issued through the online media ‘Ohmynews’ in order to show views of peace activists on military spending. Three columns were published, so far.
1. Can’t end the Korean War with military expenditure in Korea.
2. The careless purchase of war weapons without validity.
3. Cutting college tuition in half for F-35, and public children’s homes for Global Hawk.
Organisers: People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy and GDAMS Korea.
