Posted on 01/27/2003 8:31:44 PM PST by aculeus
Anti-war slogans have been sprayed on a prominent memorial to firefighters killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks as anger over a possible United States-led strike on Iraq intensifies.
In a clear assault on American foreign policy, slogans such as "You Get What You Deserve", "You Reap What You Sow", and "USA + UK = Axis of Evil" were spraypainted on and around the memorial, which was built on the corner of Madras and Kilmore streets, in central Christchurch, last year out of steel girders recovered from the debris of the World Trade Centre.
The Armagh Street Bridge and bluestone pavers on the Firefighters' Reserve walkway alongside the Avon River were also sprayed with anti-war slogans and a damaged American flag was hung near the memorial by the vandals, who struck overnight on Sunday..
The attack, which has been condemned by city leaders, peace activists, and the American Embassy in Wellington, comes as the military build-up in the Gulf continues and chief weapons inspector Hans Blix reports back to the United Nations on the outcome of the UN inspections in Iraq.
Mayor Garry Moore, who this month joined anti-war protesters on the streets of Christchurch, said yesterday there was no justification for the attack on the memorial.
Using one form of violence to protest against another form of violence – war – was wrong, he said.
"Those misguided individuals who have painted on it have ignored the message of that site, which is that when people push their views down each other's throats ordinary people suffer."
The Christchurch City Council had never envisaged the memorial would be targeted by those with anti-American sentiments and was disappointed that what was essentially a peace memorial had been defaced in such a way.
Rob Green and Kate Dewes, co-ordinators of the Peace Foundation's Disarmament & Security Centre in Christchurch, said they were shocked and saddened by the attack on the memorial.
"We utterly condemn actions which desecrate memorials to victims of violence.
"This will only deepen polarisation of views about the so-called war against international terrorism and US determination to invade Iraq," they said.
However, the vandalism was evidence of a "deep anger, frustration, and powerlessness at the seemingly unstoppable drive for war led by the US and British governments, despite the inevitable humanitarian catastrophe for the already-suffering Iraqi people".
Natalia Batchelor, of Peace Action Network New Zealand (PANNZ), said the attack on the memorial was not part of any organised protest activity.
PANNZ was a "family-friendly peace movement" and did not want people "doing awful things" in a misguided attempt to promote the cause.
As city council contractors yesterday worked to clean up the memorial, the American Embassy also spoke out against the attack.
"Desecrating a memorial to innocent people from 80 nations, who lost their lives in a senseless act of mass murder, accomplishes nothing in the way of constructive dialogue," an embassy spokeswoman said. "We don't believe that this is the appropriate forum or method for such protests."
Canterbury-West Coast regional fire commander Brian Joyce was furious the memorial had been desecrated:
"I find it very disturbing that somebody out there views a monument dedicated to those who lost their lives through their own dedication to helping others as a political statement about war," he said.
"They have missed the target. It's not something I can buy into. Firefighters in every country enjoy the respect of the community they serve and no-one expects to see such disrespect."
Christchurch sculptor Graham Bennett, who designed the memorial, was disappointed it had been misinterpreted by some as a symbol of September 11, when it was a tribute to firefighters killed.
Thanks for your kind reply. He will go to Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, and Queenstown, and then to Australia. The pictures of N.Zealand are just beautiful!!
I was surprised when I read about the memorial, and that material from the 9/11 site had been used!! Even 'we', here on Free Republic hadn't seen that in the news, - and we ARE news hounds!
Are you presently in New Zealand? I've read so much about it that I almost feel like you are a 'friend'!! My son is a Chemist working on Johnston Island. Regards, potlatch
Using one form of violence to protest against another form of violence ? war ? was wrong, he said.
"Those misguided individuals who have painted on it have ignored the message of that site, which is that when people push their views down each other's throats ordinary people suffer."
With all due respect Mr Mayor(which isn't much) you and all those thoughtlessly engaged in the current "peace movement" are entirely responsible. Your rhetoric is as violence-provoking as it is shallow.
Expect much more violence coming from the "peace movement" in coming weeks. Its just beneath the surface.
,,, yes, Wellington City. Sunny and warm at present.
Good. Our winter is your summer, but I'm in South Texas and a FREEZE is a big deal!!
Oh, well - some of us know better. And if you find these particular a-holes, give 'em an extra kick in the ribs for me ;)
We've seen him in person several times. Love to listen to him with my eyes closed, LOL, he's not much to look at. We went to Lukinbach Tx., [which is where he used to hang out and made famous] many times when the kids were young.
They had outhouses way back, and everybody sat on tree stumps, played their guitars, sang and drank lots of beer!! Wish I'd taken more pictures, there were people there that went on to a little success in the music business! Our winters can be pleasently [sp?] mild, and we just 'get used' to the heat.
You mean 'your CLIMB' to 50!! We're on a climb, and I've climbed a little higher than you!! LOL
Yep! Better to be 'climbing', than not!! LOL. Sorry for the long response time - I had 3 emails from my son. He leaves in the morning from Johnstons for Honolulu, then to Australia and New Zealand.
Eight flights total! He's already planning a European trip and wants us to meet him there. Who knows what the world will be like 9 weeks from now!!?
,,, love it! I'll be at the annual Art Deco festival that weekend in Napier. Any peaceniks I see on the way thru, I'll chunder on.
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