FED: Celebrities rally peace protesters ahead of weekend marches

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FED: Celebrities rally peace protesters ahead of weekend marches

By Kim Arlington

SYDNEY, Feb 12 AAP - Comedian Andrew Denton believes there's a perception in Australiathat opposition to war with Iraq is confined to "the so-called left-wing intelligentsiachardonnay sippers".

But Denton is just one of millions of Australians opposed to the looming conflict,regardless of age, occupation or political leaning - or their taste in wine, he said.

Today he was joined outside NSW Parliament by film directors Jane Campion and GeorgeMiller, producer Jan Chapman and Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown, to protest at Australia'sinvolvement.

The high-profile protesters will be among hundreds of thousands voicing their oppositionat peace rallies across Australia this weekend.

Denton said it was astonishing that Prime Minister John Howard had sent troops to theGulf with "no apparent consultation, not just with the Australian people but with theAustralian parliament".

Such lack of consultation meant the prime minister had neglected his responsibilities,Denton said.

"This is not like any other political matter," he said.

"This is a matter which will end up costing the lives of men and women with whom we live."

Denton said Australians should join the weekend rallies "because the prime ministerstill understands one thing, and that's the polls".

"I think the prime minister needs to understand the depth of feeling out there, notjust amongst the so-called left-wing intelligentsia chardonnay sippers - although franklyI'm a pinot man myself - but amongst people who are living in Cabramatta, who are livingin Camberwell, who are living in Coober Pedy," he said.

"We know something bad is coming and we don't want to be a part of it, not in the waythe prime minister is committing us.

"It's time we were heard."

Campion, the director of Oscar-winning film The Piano, urged people to take part inthe rallies "because we will make a difference".

"There shouldn't be a war, that there's many other opportunities and ways to resolvethis conflict yet," she said.

Senator Brown said Mr Howard was ignoring the wishes of the majority of Australians,but they could make themselves heard by protesting.

"It's the fundamental part of democracy that people have the right to protest and theright to speak out, not least when they feel they're being misrepresented," he said.

"It's a great opportunity for people to come out and to send a message to John Howard... that this is not Australia's war."

AAP ka/nf/jnb/ts

KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST PROTESTS (PIX AVAILABLE)