Posted on 3-7-2003

Eyewitness Account, Invasion of Iraq

Ruth Russell, who was a human shield in Iraq during the bombing, will be
speaking in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch later this month (see
itinerary below). More information about Ruth is available on-line at
http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/ruth.htm Any updates on her tour will be
posted on that web page.

Ruth’s speaking tour is sponsored by Peace Movement Aotearoa (PMA) and the
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF). If you are able
to assist with the cost of the tour, please send a cheque payable to Peace
Movement Aotearoa, and a note saying it is for the Ruth Russell tour, to
PMA, PO Box 9314, Wellington. A tax deductible receipt will be sent for all
donations, so remember to include your name and address. Thank you.


* Auckland *

~ Thursday, 17 July - ‘An eyewitness account of the invasion of Iraq’ -
Ruth Russell, from South Australia, was a human shield in Baghdad for eight
weeks, including three weeks protecting a humanitarian site during the
bombing which began in March 2003. She speaks about her experience there,
what she and other human shields saw during the invasion; her talk is
illustrated with photos taken at the time. "I decided to pack my bags and
go to Baghdad because I believed this was the strongest statement I could
make that this war was both illegal and morally wrong. So my first and most
important effort was to speak out to try to prevent war. Right up until the
last moment I thought the incredible world opinion and lack of any UN
Resolution would work ­ the people of the world did not want it - only
three out of 180 countries supported the US government. When war was
declared, I chose to stay at the Taji Food Silo to prevent bombing of this
UN designated humanitarian site." Hear Ruth’s story at 7-30pm, St Colomba
Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby, Auckland. Organised by WILPF, for more
information contact Joan tel (09) 360 8001 or email joanmac@pl.net

~ Monday, 21 July - ‘Peace: the sensible alternative to war’, an empowering
community workshop run by Ruth Russell, human shield in Iraq, which
provides opportunities for participants to work through the many outcomes
of peace and war - personal, social, environmental, economic and political.
From 7-30pm to 9-30pm, Flat 1, 5 Seymour Street, St Mary’s Bay, Auckland;
please RSVP if you are planning on attending so we have some idea of the
number of people coming. Organised by WILPF, for more information, or to
RSVP, contact Joan tel (09) 360 8001 or email joanmac@pl.net

* Wellington *

~ Friday, 18 July - ‘An eyewitness account of the invasion of Iraq’ - Ruth
Russell, from South Australia, was a human shield in Baghdad for eight
weeks, including three weeks protecting a humanitarian site during the
bombing which began in March 2003. She speaks about her experience there,
what she and other human shields saw during the invasion; her talk is
illustrated with photos taken at the time. "I decided to pack my bags and
go to Baghdad because I believed this was the strongest statement I could
make that this war was both illegal and morally wrong. So my first and most
important effort was to speak out to try to prevent war. Right up until the
last moment I thought the incredible world opinion and lack of any UN
Resolution would work ­ the people of the world did not want it - only
three out of 180 countries supported the US government. When war was
declared, I chose to stay at the Taji Food Silo to prevent bombing of this
UN designated humanitarian site." Hear Ruth’s story from 6pm to 7-30pm, at
St Andrew's on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace, Wellington. Organised by Peace
Movement Aotearoa, for more information contact tel (04) 382 8129 or email
pma@xtra.co.nz

~ Saturday, 19 July - ‘Peace: the sensible alternative to war’, an
empowering community workshop run by Ruth Russell, human shield in Iraq,
which provides opportunities for participants to work through the many
outcomes of peace and war - personal, social, environmental, economic and
political. From 2-30pm to 4-30pm, Athena College, 203 Willis Street,
Wellington; please RSVP if you are planning on attending so we have some
idea of the number of people coming. Organised by Peace Movement Aotearoa,
for more information contact tel (04) 382 8129 or email pma@xtra.co.nz

* Christchurch *

~ Sunday, 20 July - details to be confirmed.