Posted on 06/18/2007 8:03:53 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
PEACE activists say they have infiltrated Australia's largest military training exercise, risking their lives to demonstrate against Australian and US warmongering
Protesters have converged on the joint military exercise at Shoalwater Bay, near Rockhampton in central Queensland, which is the main site for the exercise involving 7500 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, 20,000 US troops, 125 aircraft and 30 ships.
They are protesting against the US-led war in Iraq and the exercise's impact on the environment, and are calling for peace.
A statement from peace groups involved today claimed several groups of activists had entered the training area - an area larger than Belgium - to "risk their lives" because of their concern for peace and the environment.
"Our consciences will not allow us to stand by while troops prepare for more war," the statement reads.
"We do not want to see this environment destroyed or exploited for these purposes. We plan to stay inside the training area for as long as possible."
Their spokeswoman, Treena Lenthall, who was outside the exclusion zone, told AAP the groups had taken provisions to camp out in the area.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
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