Protesting Military Exercises EQUALS Protesting War and Genocide
Palestine supporters in Garramilla/Darwin, in solidarity with West Papua supporters, Wage Peace, and Top End Peace Alliance members, braved the crowds for the delirious Pitch Black public military display at Mindil Beach, to stand staunch in the mania with some messages in opposition to glorifying military outfits and killing machines involved in genocide.
Thousands came out for this sinister event; we wanted them to think more deeply about what they are supporting. One of the Palestine supporters that stood with us at Pitch Black said ” this [turn out] is very indicative of how desensitised, unempathetic, and removed reality from Australia is”.
Exercise Pitch Black 2024 is the biggest yet, with more money and resources being poured in and extended hours of noise pollution in our skies. Over 20 countries have joined this sinister joint military exercise, many involved in using their military forces and weapons in genocide including the United States of America (US), Indonesia and Australia. The Pitch Black display at Mindil Beach featured weapons used in these genocides made by US arms dealers such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing that are greatly profiting from supplying much of the weapons and ammunition used in Gaza.
Weapons Companies Displaying Their Horrific Wares
Prominent among the display were Lockheed Martin F35 Joint Strike Fighters, from both USAF and RAAF. These fighters have featured significantly in the slaughter of Gaza, and Australia’s ongoing contribution to the global parts pool is recognised as rendering Australia compliant in the mass murder of innocent Palestinians. Just last month, Israel’s Ministry of Defence arranged a $3 billion deal with the US for a third squadron of twenty-five more F35s.
To add to the military frenzy there were also open days at Defence bases over the weekend, again attracting thousands of attendees. Luke Gosling Federal MP shared a picture of himself standing proudly by an F35 at the RAAF Base Darwin open day. In contrast, a Palestine supporter at Pitch Black shared her dismay, “Hundreds of People are coming to watch planes for fun, when there are people in Gaza who when they see planes they run for their lives knowing that the lives of the family are probably going to end, the houses are going to be demolished, they may never see the people they love again.”
Northern Territory Key to Military Buildup in Australia
The NT is currently the centre of military buildup in Australia and preparations for more US led wars. Millions of taxpayers’ dollars are being handed over for upgrades and new facilities that are under way. NT communities have never been consulted and consent has not been sought from the First Nations custodians.
NT Residents are being primed by Australia and US military in collaboration with NT Government, City of Darwin, and ABC Radio to promote these events like the Pitch Black display at Mindil Beach, to welcome this pursuit of war and increasing military presence with the strengthened posture between US and United Kingdom (UK) under the AUKUS (Australia, UK, US) pact.
Coinciding with Pitch Black, Australia Defence is also participating in the US led RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific) multinational exercise in the Islands around Hawaii. Despite the Australian government avoiding any links to weapons and Israel military operations in the Gaza, Australia is participating in this exercise with the Israel Defence Force (IDF), along with 27 other nations. Australian advocacy organisations ActionAid Australia, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, and the Australian Centre for International Justice put out an official statement to the Australian Defence Force to withdraw from RIMPAC due to IDF participation. Environmental and Indigenous communities where the exercises are taking place are also campaigning against RIMPAC because of the damage and destruction it causes to ecosystems, islands, and atolls.
Those in the NT that are not ignorant or fallen prey to popularising this escalation of military activity are very concerned and alarmed by these military alliances and joint exercises. We want our governments to be investing in peace not war, in earthcare not warfare, in healthcare not warfare. We oppose a military alliance with US, and defence agreements and joint training with other countries like the US, Israel and Indonesia involved in genocide.
Free Palestine NT
Territorians for Palestine @territoriansforpalestine
Wage Peace – Disrupt War @wagepeaceau
Australians for a Free West Papua – Darwin @FreeWestPapuaDarwin
Top End Peace Alliance
@freepalestinent
@westpapuasolidaritygarramilla
@disruptwars
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