Australian Anti-AUKUS Coalition Statement
Hiroshima and Nagasaki Never Again!
No Nuclear Submarines, No AUKUS!
Demand Peace – Oppose War!
See below for Australia wide events and commemorations
On the 78th anniversary of U.S. dropping nuclear bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, nationwide events and commemorations are being held across Australia.
On 6 and 9 of August 1945, in an unparalleled crime against humanity, America dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, unleashing the great scourge of nuclear weapons and obliterating the two cities and their people.
120, 000 people died instantly and another 100,000 died from long term radiation poisoning and injuries. Tens of thousands more lived with radiation sickness for the rest of their lives.
South Pacific people and countries (including Australia) strove for many years to create and maintain a nuclear free zone in their region. Under AUKUS and the acquisition of hunter killer nuclear submarines, Australian governments are now betraying these hard won achievements by introducing the nuclear threat into the South Pacific, and risking a nuclear war in the region.
AUKUS and nuclear submarines will require Australia’s commitment to store large quantities of weapons-grade nuclear waste on the unceded lands of the First Nations People.
On Sunday 6 August commemorations and events will be held around Australia to remind the people of the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and call for the Australian government to cancel AUKUS and nuclear submarines and stop the drive to war.
The present climate of accelerating US military built up in our region and the proliferation of nuclear weapons makes it urgent for the Australian government to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki are sobering reminders that the march to war must be stopped.
Never Again Hiroshima and Nagasaki!
Nationwide events across Australia
Meanjin Brisbane QLD
Sunday 6 August at 2pm
Rally and March
King George Square
Speakers include Kristin Perissinotto- Electrical Trade Union, Laura Nolan – Environment Officer, UQ Union, Aahana Nag and Layla Farquharson – School Strike 4 Climate.
Sydney NSW
Sunday 6 August at 2pm
Rally: Hiroshima Never Again, No Nuclear Submarines
Sydney Town Hall Square Speakers include Pastor Ray Minniecon, Allan Behm (Australia Institute), Prof Jake Lynch (Peace and Conflict Studies), Fr Claude Mostowik (Pax Christi) Dr Vince Scappatura (Macquarie Uni.)
Newcastle NSW
Sunday 6 August at 11am-2pm
Commemoration and unveiling of new Peace Park sign
Tighes Hill Reserve, Maitland Rd
Speakers include Sharon Claydon MP, Senator David Shoebridge, Leigh Shears (Hunter Workers Secretary) and Brad Pidgeon (AMWU).
Hosted by the Hunter Peace Group.
Prayers for Peace Commemoration
Sunday 6 August at 6pm
Christ Church Cathedral, Church St, Newcastle.
Rev’d Dr Erica Mathieson and Rev’d Dr Ray Williamson. Hosted by Christians for Peace, Newcastle.
Wollongong NSW
Sunday 6 August at 4-6pm
Forum: No Place for a Nuclear Base
Church on the Mall, Auditorium
Register here.
Speakers include Peter Garrett, Cr Trish Frail (Ngemba campaigner against nuclear waste dump at Brewarinna), Dr Sue Wareham (MAPW) and Shaye Candish (NSW Nurses and Midwives Association). Hosted by Wollongong Against War and Nukes.
Armidale, NSW
Sunday 6 August, Hiroshima Day
1pm-2pm (setup from 12.30)
Judith Wright Memorial Grove, Civic Park Armidale
Naarm Melbourne VIC
Sunday 6 August at 1pm
Rally and march – State Library of Victoria
Peace Not War – No Nuclear Submarines, No AUKUS
Speakers: Margie Beavis (MAPW), David Ball (MUA), Jack Howard Labor Against War, Janet Rice (Greens), University student, South Korean unionist and peace activist
Choir for Peace, Riff Raff Marching Band. Hosted by No AUKUS Vic.
https://www.facebook.com/events/120081301140863?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D
Geelong / Djilang VIC
Friday 4 August, 4 pm
Rally, Little Malop St, Mall,
Followed by dinner and documentary screening at Geelong Trades Hall
Featuring Dr William Briggs, local international relations expert & Sarah Mansfield, Greens MLC for Western Victoria and the Geelong Climate Choir. Hosted by IPAN Geelong.
Nipaluna Hobart TAS
Saturday 5 August at 11am-12pm
Hiroshima Day Vigil
Join MAPW Tasmania and friends for the annual silent vigil to mark Hiroshima and Nagasaki days. Hosted by MAPW Tasmania and AAAC-Hobart.
Kaurna Yerta – Adelaide
Sunday 6 August 8 – 8.30 am
Peace Commemoration
Peace Park, Sir Edwin Smith Ave
Sunday 6 August at 2pm
Rally and March for Peace!
Parliament House, Hindmarsh Sq.
No More Hiroshimas, No to AUKUS
Fund Welfare Not Warfare
https://www.facebook.com/events/1226813328011517/
Perth
Sunday 6 August 12 – 1.30pm
Hiroshima Nagasaki Never Again
Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge
Ban Nuclear Weapons, Cancel AUKUS No Nuclear Submarines/Peace Not War
List of speakers, click fb events link below
https://www.facebook.com/events/280921174535769/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D