ICAN has again had a strong presence at this year's traditional Palm Sunday peace events.

ICAN Board member Dr Ruth Mitchell spoke at the Melbourne rally, following Afghani speaker Rahmat Amiri who called on Australia to stop supporting war in Afghanistan, Palestinian Reem Yunis, and army veteran Chip Henriss. 

The crowd, including members of ICAN partner Japanese for Peace, braved wet weather in contrast to last year's heat, and marched through the city, after which a die-in and a minute's silence were held in Bourke Street Mall.

ICAN's Dr Ruth Mitchell addresses the Melbourne crowd (photo: Peter Cahlill)

With the theme "End the waste of war", the event was sponsored by the Victorian Council of Churches, and Committee for International Cooperation and Disarmament.

In Sydney, Dr Sue Wareham of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War and ICAN Board member, spoke on resolving global conflict, notably in Afghanistan and Palestine.

Dr Sue Wareham at the Parramatta peace rally, Sydney (photo: Claude Mostowick)

See more photos at ICAN's Flickr page, also www.flickr.com/photos/takver/sets/72157616293583453/show/ and  http://melbourneprotests.wordpress.com/