Plea for peace as war dead remembered

Give peace a chance. Photo/Bevan Conley

A peace vigil was held yesterday in Majestic Square to mark 100 years since World War I began and to "honour the dead by ending war".

Peace Movement Aotearoa called on communities to embrace peace vigils in their own towns and cities.

Undeterred by the rain, more than 20 Quakers from the Religious Society of Friends gathered in the square and hoisted placards promoting peace.

Organiser Judith Timpany, 62, said the vigil was aimed at changing people's perception of war and arming world governments with "enough brawn" to solve conflicts without resorting to violence.

"I want to live in a peaceful world, and I want my children to live in a peaceful world," she said.

She urged communities to stand up to the injustices brought about by war, such as seen in Gaza, saying that everybody had a responsibility as human beings.

Among those present was 83-year-old Gita Brooke, originally from Denmark, who experienced the German occupation during World War II.

Merilyn Payne, 75, took part in the anti-apartheid protest during the Springbok tour of New Zealand in 1981.

"The non-violence movement is growing and this here is a powerful way of making change, not killing," she said.

A statement from the Religious Society of Friends said members had been rallying to change the way war was often glorified by history.

Peace Movement Aotearoa is the national networking group for people interested in peace, social justice and human rights.

Akuino Olaaiga is an AUT journalism student on work experience at the Chronicle