While US President George Bush is visiting Canberra seeking more commitment from the Australian government for his wars and hiding behind a security screen of 600 US personnel, Australian citizens will gather freely and fearlessly on the lawns of Parliament hill to bear witness for peace and to speak out for justice.
A civic reception by the Australian peace movement, it will take place in two acts:
a Peace Lantern Vigil around the sacred fire at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy from 5 pm on the evening of 22 October and
a Speak Out in front of the Parliament after President Bush has addressed the Parliament 11 am Thursday 23 October.
The Peace Lantern Vigil will be an opportunity for meditations and prayers for peace. It will gather around the sacred fire of Aboriginal Tent Embassy, seek the blessings of traditional owners, be led by local spiritual leaders of all faiths and be conducted largely in silence.
The Speak Out will combine a cardboard effigy burning with performance poetry and freestyle rap. Fiery oratory is promised and participants will literally be hearing prophesies of a Burning Bush.
Producer of the Bush peace reception is long time peace activist and itinerant lantern maker, Graeme Dunstan. Now 63 years old, he was one of the student protestors against whom NSW Premier Askin said "Run over the bastards!" when they stopped the motorcade of Lyndon Baines Johnson during his civic reception in Sydney in 1966. (See www.peacebus.com/graeme/LBJ.html)
Mr Dunstan says he has no plans to become a speed bump when Mr Bush comes to Canberra but he is determined that truth and peace will have a voice while the US President is in town addressing the Parliament, telling more lies and hijacking more of Australiašs taxes and defence forces, to pursue his war agenda.
"I want the peace movement to be represented peacefully and artfully, in quiet reflection and with fiery oratory," he said.
A producer of many a mass lantern event (see www.peacebus.com/Eureka/), Mr Dunstan is urging citizens to come for sunset (5 pm) and to bring a lantern (a cut off 2 litre plastic milk bottle with candle held with Blutac will do) and join in prayers and meditation sessions to spread loving kindness to all people, all creatures, all beings. Even to the deluded and benighted such as President Bush.
For the Speak Out he is calling to local Canberra poets and rappers to come share voice. Gina Lakosta poetry start of the Independence from America Day celebration in Byron Bay last 4 July (see www.peacebus.com/FourthJuly/) will be giving voice to the Burning Bush.
For out of town visitors a peace camp will be formed in association with the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the lawns in front of Old parliament House.
Further Bush reception information
www.actnow.canberra.net.au
Contacts
Graeme Dunstan 0415 843 751 graemedunstan@rainbowregion.com
Gina Lakosta 02 6684 6996
