Written submission from Whanganui PSNA

[Quoted text from Whanganui PSNA co-organisers Miriam King, Ruby Haazan, Orlando Bright, and Sophi Reinholt]

A huge win for peace and justice today.

A dedicated group of local Whanganui volunteers from PSNA [Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa]…

…backed by thousands of community members and local organisations/businesses…

…achieved a first for Aotearoa…

…to have a District Council call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

“We can see the tide turning on this issue. It was time our community was heard and voiced by our political leaders. We call for peace and the freedom of Palestinian people.” [Orlando]

The motion that was passed also states the Whanganui District Council will lobby central government to do the same.

“What council will be doing now, is they will be taking that to the New Zealand government to try and put pressure on them to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.”

“Government has thus far taken a weak stance on this issue - we want to stand in history as a people under the banner of freedom, peace and justice. That is the true Kaupapa of this land and its people.” [Orlando]

There were many tears of relief and joy today at council when the decision came through.

“We were optimistic going in but of course there is always the worry it won’t go through - we are so proud of our community and our council.” [Orlando]

"I feel proud of our local government today. It is because of the lack of leadership at a national level that there was a need for local leadership on this issue. We may be a small town but we sent a strong and clear message. And no matter how small the courageous act, courage is contagious."[Ruby]

Within the hour that it took for the decision to come through, 15 people in Gaza would have been killed - 6 of them children.

The group had just under 3 weeks to gather signatures for the petition to support the motion. 34 hours of petitioning generated the 2200 signatures which works out to about 1 signature a minute - a powerful indicator of the level of support and wish from our community to see this passed.

“There's that quote about a small group of committed people changing the world, which I carried with me through this. I am so proud of PSNA Whanganui for the enormous mahi that has gone into getting this done, and buoyed by the community support for peace and justice for Palestine. We can make a difference!” [Miriam]

“There is so much we can and will build off this around the country. We will not stop until Israel abides by international law and our elected leaders take substantive action to back that. Every child has the right to grow up without the fear of bombs - it is even persons duty on this earth to protect that right.” [Orlando]

Whanganui PSNA recommended a link to Al Jazeera’s “Israel-Gaza war in maps and charts: Live tracker” in their submission.

Written submission from Cr Josh Chandulal-Mackay

Walking out onto the forecourt outside council and seeing the crowd of peaceful demonstrators who’d marched to council in support of the ceasefire in Gaza was one of the most powerful moments I’ve experienced in my time on council.

We totally support the kaupapa

It feels like theres not much we can do, but here's something small we CAN do

The flags, the waiata, and the genuine care for the cause of humanity and peace is something that should make us very proud as a community.

In the Chambers I was fired up by the conviction that councillors must always think global while acting local, none of us are immune from the challenges that go on beyond our borders.

People can see through the lies that are perpetuated by Israel, perpetuated through our own government, and perpetuated through our own media.

So we're disappointed with our own government, our own media, and our own inaction.

- Tāwhana Chadwick

There are real people, right here in our district on both the Palestinian and Israeli sides of the conflict who’re feeling the pain of the slaughter, destruction, and the hopelessness in an unfathomably deep way.

The conviction and strength in Sophi’s speech to councillors centred us all on what’s most important, and grounded me in the belief that it’s the role of elected members to reflect the aspirations of our community.

Speaking after Sophi’s speech, I commented on the strength of the collective and of adding our voice to be a part of a movement more powerful than any of us can be in isolation.

Other elected members also referenced the legacy New Zealand has globally as a champion of human rights and peace, whether it be on Apartheid South Africa, voting rights for women, or being a nuclear-free nation.

The devastation and the loss of human life there is appalling…the world has just stood by and let it happen.

That legacy isn’t created by accident, it happens when people within our country, people like us, demand it and advocate for it. We should never sit by in silence as 36,000 people are slaughter including 13,000 children, and where millions of people are left landless and stateless, living under an illegal occupation.

Written submission from Mayor Andrew Tripe

“Gidday Ben- how's this for a few words. Much of it is words from my ANZAC Day speech but relevant for this...”

The recent petition for a call for a ceasefire in Gaza at the recent Council meeting is ultimately, for me, about peace and unity - in Gaza, around the world, and in our own community. A peaceful and united society should be the objective of all of us.

The petition and the recent ANZAC Day services are a reminder and acknowledgement of all those who have fought for the paradox of both peace and victory at the same time.

Most times a war is thought of as armed soldiers attacking or defending on a battlefield. Today we acknowledge those who have served and fought and those who in that endeavour have been wounded or lost lives.

New Zealand is a peace-loving nation and we have been fortunate over the years to have had many friends – so long may this continue.

I do believe though that that fighting for peace starts with all of our small actions to show love and humanity within our own community.

“God is great isn’t he” [Raewyn]

Perhaps our own war right now is not on the literal battlefield but rather the figurative one of an increasing creeping of social division and social angst. We do not have to be this way though.

Let us be people that are able to challenge our own firmly held mindsets. Let us be a community that celebrates and honours different perspectives or beliefs.

Let us be a community that looks for the positives, the glass half-full.

Let us be a community that can debate and disagree with respect and play the ball not the man.

Let us be a community that supports each other.

Let us have respect for a different viewpoint, replace a different view with an openness to see the other person’s,

…shake hands after a disagreement, smile and provide positive words to our neighbour,

…take time to repair broken relationships with a spirit of forgiveness.

Let us learn to love, give and serve.

We do all these for the most part.

We are a wonderful community and our connectedness and ability to support each other is one of our greatest assets.

That is the best way we can preserve the cause of those who have served and fought for our peace,

…our community,

…for all of us.

Written submission from Cr Charlotte Melser

[Transcript of Charlotte’s address to the Whanganui District Council on May 7th 2024]

I thank everyone from the Palestinian Solidarity Network Aotearoa who have brought us this petition and all those who have signed it and those that have come to council today.

There is an incredible amount of supporting documentation and I want to congratulate you on bringing this all together.

Our community has the Democratic right to bring us deputations and petitions.

I personally thank you all for engaging in this process and bringing this to us.

It is a real opportunity to be the first council in the country to call for a permanent ceasefire and to stand up for civilians everywhere that have lost their voice.

This motion is not controversial. This motion simply calls for a step towards peace.

We don’t need to over politicise this, we have an opportunity to once again, stand and speak for peace,

and to support those in our community that are hurting directly from the impact of the war in Gaza.

“We need to think global, act local.”

It's a great day and I'm just pleased that we got the vote.

Thanks to everyone who had a part in it.

🎼 “Give peace a chance” 𝄢

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