jim writes:

"ZeroWar 2 Conference"

Canberra, Australia, March 22-23, 2003

Following on from the Zero War conference held in Wollongong last December, Canberra Treason is organising Zero War 2: A revolutionary anti-war forum aimed at facilitating direct action, revolt and total liberation.In response to capitals wars a large antiwar movement has arisen in most parts of the world. Up to 30 million protested the war in mid-February, the latest of several international days of protest against the war. On March 5 there were student strikes and protests against the war in several countries. While the mass protests are encouraging most of the antiwar movement remains limited to appeals to the state not to go to war. However there are encouraging signs that sections of the antiwar movement are beginning to move beyond the passive protest favoured by the Green, religious and Trotskyist leaders of the antiwar movement. There have been a series of minor direct actions against military facilities in the US, Britain and Ireland, and recently trains carrying US military supplies were delayed by mass blockades in Italy. In Sydney some of the striking students escaped the control of protest organisers and ran laughing and shouting through the streets while in Canoga, California, striking high school students looted a petrol station.



With Zero War 2 we hope to foster discussion and coordination between those who wish to deepen the radical tendencies within the antiwar movement in Australia. We also intend to organise direct action against the war to take place during the national demonstrations at Parliament House on Sunday 23 March and Monday 24 March. We hope that people will stay on from the Zero War meeting and come to the demo.



Venue: Australian National University



Date: Saturday 22 March 2003 1000-1700 and Sunday 23 March 1000-1230



Cost: Free (bring donations for food)



For more information contact:

peterzoran@hotmail.com

antyphayes@yahoo.com.au

0408 466 276



Proposed Agenda:



Saturday March 22



1000-1200 Discussion on the nature of the war



1200-1300 Lunch



1300-1500 Workshops (If anyone would like to give a workshop please let us know ASAP)



1500-1530 Break



1530-1730 Discussion of direct actions at Parliament



Sunday March 23



1000-1230 Discussion of future action against the war



1230-1330 Lunch



Bring material for banners and placards as there will be space available throughout the conference for construction.



Demonstrations:



Sunday March 23



1400 Voices For Peace Demonstration Parliament House



Monday March 24



1300 Stop Work to Stop the War Demonstration Parliament House



Official Website: http://www.convergenceonparliament.net/



Dress:



Casual for the conference and pirate costumes optional for the demonstrations.



Transport:



Interstate buses arrive at the Jolimont Centre next to the CBD, please contact us if you want to be picked up from there.



Accommodation:



There are a limited number of billets available with Canberra comrades. To get a place to sleep please contact us ASAP. Otherwise you will have to make your own arrangements. Cheap accommodation is available at the Canberra City Backpackers (ph (02) 6229 0888) in the CBD and the Canberra YHA (ph (02) 6248 9155) in the inner suburb of OConnor.



We will provide maps of the relevant parts of Canberra on our website, http://treason.metadns.cx ASAP



Please let us know ASAP if you intend to come to Canberra for the conference and/or the demonstrations.