Campaigner wants a war of words

PEACE campaigner and self-proclaimed would-be saboteur Bryan Law is in Rocky and spoiling for a war of words.

The veteran anti-military activist caused uproar earlier this year when he declared his intention to damage US forces’ helicopters at Rockhampton Airport.

Now he has booked the James Lawrence Pavilion at the Showgrounds on July 4 – American Independence Day – for a public forum on Australia’s alliance with the US.

And he’s inviting Mayor Brad Carter, Federal MP Kirsten Livermore and local RSL president Ron King to debate him.

Mr Law, who lives in Cairns but who has moved temporarily to Rockhampton to co-ordinate peaceful protests against the upcoming Talisman Sabre joint military exercise, says the public meeting should be lively.

“Representatives of the peace convergence will argue that the true cost of our US alliance is perpetual engagement in war and that cost is too high,” he said.

He attacked Cr Carter, claiming that in asking the US to assist with the flood-proofing of the city’s airport, the mayor is “prostituting Rockhampton to the US military”.

“Mayor Carter has decided it’s okay if Rockhampton grovels to the US military and profits from the war in Afghanistan,” he said.

He said the meeting would be an opportunity for residents to speak for themselves.

“I’ve been talking to a lot of Rocky people and overwhelmingly the sentiment has been for peace and against war,” he said.

Joining Mr Law in the peace campaign is Graeme Dunstan, a 67-year-old nomadic Buddhist who will co-ordinate the protests against Talisman Sabre. The biennial war games will bring 8500 troops to Shoalwater Bay in July.