Palm Sunday’s Sydney rally – a special afternoon for peace

By Ann-Maree McEwan

The Trades Hall choir welcomed. Dean King’s Acknowledgement of Gadigal Country reminded us of the spirits of the old people & shared wise teachings. MC Grace from RAC brought it together. Each speaker inspired and taught us much.

Many groups braved the train scheduled track work to be there standing together with one voice against war, for peace, opposing legal barriers against refugees. Speaking with one voice to welcome refugees, to free Palestine and to take action for climate. No to Trump’s agenda.

Speakers

Rob Benson
NSW Ecumenical Council of Springwood origin reminded us who we were at the rally for .. the marginalised, the victims of war who are not at the table, those who stand outside our tribes and the need to work together as a community in hospitality, solidarity and as agents of peace.

Liz Remnerswall Hughes
from New Zealand. National Coordinator of World Beyond War a growing international organisation working to take war off the table with online resources and courses. We must check out their website and petition.

Bart Shteinman
Executive Officer Jewish Council of Australia spoke in unity with all other faiths present at the rally. He urged us to defy attempts of the Far Right to divide for greed, power and wealth. He reminded us of the Passover meaning retold over generations of the commandment to love the stranger.

Angus McFarland,
ASU NSW Secretary, a union with many members in the Blue Mountains, recalled how union members have taken industrial action in opposing war over many years.

Ian Rintoul
spoke in place of Joy Maih. Ian reminded us that there is a version of the Trump agenda in Australia in the form of Australia’s treatment of refugees in for instance not granting permanent visas for remaining refugees who came by boat & shutting the borders to Iranians seeking asylum due to the current warfare and for violations of the Refugee Convention. Change will occur through action similar to the Tamils who had to protest outside Tony Burke’s office every day for 149 days to get permanent visas.

Thank you to the Organising Committee. Big thanks to Chris and Jude from BMRSG and to Stephen for his help.

Notes:
The speeches will be replayed on Rights, Rorts and Rants from mid April. Tune in to hear them Radio Blue Mountains 89.1 Fm Friday afternoon 4-6.