Afghanistan – FightBack

Get out of Iraq and Afghanistan

March 20, 2010 by Admin

Activists gathered in Auckland today outside the US consulate to protest the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Marking the anniversary of the Iraq invasion 7 years ago the protesters demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all foreign troops, including and especially the NZ SAS and other military in Afghanistan.

The Workers Party had a PFLP banner, as part of a solidarity campaign with the Palestinian liberation movement

Workers Party with the PFLP banner

The protested ended on a fitting note, with old shoes being hurled at the Consulate.

Filed Under: Afghanistan, Imperialism, Iraq, Palestine

It is 8 years since NZ troops joined the US led invasion of Afghanistan

November 9, 2009 by Admin

The SPARK interviews long serving anti-imperialist activist and Workers Party secretary Daphna Whitmore

Spark: It’s been 8 years since New Zealand troops were sent to Afghanistan – why did the Labour-Alliance government send them in the first place?

It needs to be understood in the context of New Zealand’s involvement with US and British imperialism. New Zealand is a partner in this bloc, and Labour enthusiastically signed up to the so-called War on Terror. When it comes to involvement in military adventures Labour governments have been just as warmongering as National.

Daphna Whitmore (left)at May Day march 2009

The Alliance Party split over the issue of support for the invasion of Afghanistan, with the majority of its members rejecting the war. It highlighted the problem of being in government with an outright capitalist party like Labour.

Spark: New Zealand companies aren’t trying to make major sales in Afghanistan – why all the risk and expense over such a long period of time?

In its last term the Labour government did scale back the involvement, recalling the SAS and sending instead “reconstruction” forces. This tended to obscure the reality – that these are military forces, participating in an occupation. It dressed it up to look like it was simply a humanitarian mission. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Afghanistan, Imperialism, NZ Imperialism, Uncategorized

Christchurch Forum: Oppose NZ intervention in Afghanistan

August 28, 2009 by Byron

New Zealand soldiers have been deployed in Afghanistan for longer than in any other overseas deployment in the army’s history. Now the government is sending in the SAS again. Whereas most people in NZ opposed the invasion of Iraq by Western powers, many still see Afghanistan as the “good war” and there is little public debate about what is really happening in that country and how Western intervention, including the role played by NZ, has brought new misery to the people of Afghanistan.

Come along and hear what has really been happening in Afghanistan since the invasion at the end of 2001 and why NZ armed forces, along with all other Western armed forces, should be withdrawn.

Monday August 31 7:30pm
WEA, 59 Gloucester St
(map)

Filed Under: Afghanistan

Troops out now!

August 22, 2009 by Admin

Around 50 people protested outside Auckland’s Papakura army base, against the deployment of SAS troops to Afghanistan.

The protest was organised by Global Peace and Justice Auckland

Filed Under: Afghanistan, Imperialism

Stop the SAS return to Afghanistan

August 10, 2009 by Admin

Picket outside of the Court of Appeal, corner of Molesworth and Aitken St WELLINGTON 8AM – 9.30 AM

The picket coincides with the Court of Appeal hearing for an anti-war protester convicted of burning the NZ flag at anti-war protest in 2007. It also coincides with the government’s announcement of the return of the SAS to combat in Afghanistan. All welcome…and please pass it on…