4.00pm
Anti-racism proponents are planning a public meeting and forum at Parliament next Tuesday.
Recent desecrations of Jewish graves at Bolton St cemetery in Wellington and at Makara on the city's western outskirts prompted writers James and Helen McNeish to organise a public meeting followed by a forum to discuss proposals to achieve racial harmony.
The couple said in a statement a unanimously adopted resolution in Parliament condemning the desecration last week needed to be built on.
"We want to give expression to Parliament's historic resolution. We want to focus on constructive ideas and initiatives which look to the future," they said.
"We believe that the implication of what has happened at Bolton St and Makara goes far beyond a single targeted community; that it is both a signal and a test for all New Zealanders."
In an attached statement Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said he supported the forum.
Among speakers scheduled to address the meeting on Parliament's forecourt are former Governor-General Sir Paul Reeves, Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter, and Dunedin Mayor Sukhi Turner.
The following forum, which will be by invitation only, will be hosted by Parliament's Speaker Jonathan Hunt and co-chaired by Mr de Bres and Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey.
Another unrelated event planned following the desecrations is an anti-racism march planned for October 23 of Labour weekend.
The National Front has planned a march for the same day.
On Monday, a petition signed by 1000 was presented to Parliament expressing condemnation of anti-Semitism.
- NZPA
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