Letter to troops from pacifists entering war games zone

To Australian and US forces participation in Operation Talisman Sabre 07,

We are five unarmed, non-violent Christians who are extremely concerned about the military exercises in which you are taking part. We would like to see these preparations for war cease, and preparations for peace begin. Thus we come here to invite you to play peace games with us, and stop the war games.

We do so, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, “openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty.” Our actions are inspired by people like Gahndi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Dorothy day, who committed their lives to non-violence and who bore the costs of commitment. On the night before he was killed, Martin Luther King Jr. said, “the choice is no longer between violence and non-violence. It’s non-violence or non-existence.” I’m sure the fragile creatures and ecosystems of Shoalwater Bay would agree: as would the estimated 655,000 Iraqis who have died in the Iraq war, and the 3,500 coalition soldiers. And so we work towards a world with no war.

In this cause we have written letters, participated in street marches and held public meetings, yet still we have had no response. So, as the saying goes, “if the mountain won’t come to Mohammed, Mohammed must go to the mountain.”

Now we place the choice before you: the way of life or the way of death; construction or destruction; non-violence or non-existence. We urge you to make the choice to train for peace, by discovering the power of non-violence. This is by no means an easy road as we, even today, are finding out. But this is the most important task of our lives; we dare not fail, and we invite you to join us in it.

With Love,

Rev. Simon Moyle, Brunswick, Victoria. Baptist Minister.

Carole Powell, Brisbane. Registered Nurse.

Simon Reeves, Doveton, Vic. Social Worker.

Krystal Spencer, Dovetone, Vic. Student.

Sarah Williams, Doveton, Vic. Community Worker.