Greenpeace volunteers project peace messages on to the bow of the USS Blue Ridge, command ship of the US 7th Fleet, as part of the global campaign against the possible war in Iraq.
Last night, Greenpeace reminded the US of the overwhelming wish
of Chinese people for 'Peace' by delivering the message to a potent
symbol of US military might in Hong Kong harbour.
Two 100 square metre projections were shone onto the bow of the
USS Blue Ridge; first, the internationally recognised peace symbol
and then a dove of peace with a missile tail, carrying the message
"No War". The USS Blue Ridge is the command ship for the US 7th
fleet in the western Pacific. The ship arrived in Hong Kong
February 17th, on what was described as a routine visit. There is
no information about the next destination of the Blue Ridge.
The 7th Fleet area of responsibility for US Navy operations
encompasses 52 million square miles of the Pacific and Indian
Oceans. On average, there are 50 ships, 200 aircraft and
approximately 20,000 sailors operating in the area.
During the course of the projections, Greenpeace volunteers
operating the projector had a rifle levelled at them by a
crewmember on one of the two private security boats, which were
attempting to disrupt the protest. The volunteers were then
threatened with being shot if they did not move away from the USS
Blue Ridge. Greenpeace volunteers immediately informed the police
of the threat and a police launch arrived shortly afterwards.
"We came here carrying a message of peace from the Chinese
people but were met with a completely disproportionate and
irresponsible level of force," said Greenpeace Action Campaigner,
Alice Yeung.
Marine Police are investigating the incident and may bring
charges. In addition, Legco member James Tao has called on the Hong
Kong government to register its disapproval of this irresponsible
action with the US Consul General.
Chinese people have joined their voices to millions of others
around the world in saying "no" to war. Recent opinion polls in
both Hong Kong and Mainland China have indicated that a majority of
Chinese people are against military intervention in Iraq. Almost
60,000 people took part in a web poll on one of China's largest
websites www.sina.com.cn which asked the question "Do you think
that the Iraq problem should be solved by War?" - with 71%
answering "No". In a separate poll, around 80% of Hong Kong people
said they were against the possible war in Iraq. In addition, over
500 prominent Mainland intellectuals signed a statement against the
possible war that was delivered to the US Embassy in Beijing
earlier this week.
"President Jiang Zemin has given his support to the
Franco-Russian-German proposal for a peaceful resolution to the
Iraq problem. Chinese people have also expressed their wishes for
peace not war. Our message to the sailors on board the USS Blue
Ridge is that you are welcome in peace but not in war. In addition,
we call upon the Hong Kong government to not give any support,
financial or otherwise, to the US military build up for the
possible war in Iraq." said Sze Ping Lo, Campaigns Director for
Greenpeace in China.
Greenpeace has been protesting around the globe against the
possible war in Iraq, so far having taken action in UK, Belgium,
Australia, Turkey, Austria, France, Hong Kong, Spain, Slovakia and
Hungary, amongst other countries. As an organisation based on
principles of peace and non-violence, we strongly believe that
violence cannot resolve conflict.