ANZAC parasites

The Dom Post reports:

War veterans are angry that Peace Movement Aotearoa is running a white poppy fundraiser just a day before the annual RSA red poppy day street appeal.

Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins said the white poppy appeal was “incredibly disrespectful to those who served their country”.

“Peace Movement Aotearoa should be ashamed of themselves,” she said. …

Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association chief executive Stephen Clarke said the organisation was concerned at the intrusion. Red poppies had been sold every year since 1922 to raise money for veterans’ welfare services. It raised $1.4 million last year.

It was a clear case of “trading off” on the red poppy brand, Mr Clarke said.

However, PMA co-ordinator Edwina Hughes defended its white poppy appeal and the timing. Her organisation was not competing with the RSA. There was nothing to stop people wearing red and white poppies together.

This is scummy parasitical behaviour.

PMA have every right to raise money. They even have the right to raise money the day before ANZAC Day.

But using a white poppy, the day before ANZAC Day, is designed to con people into thinking that it is somehow linked to the RSA poppy collection. The colour change by itself is not distinguishing enough.

In effect PMA, is stealing money from the RSA, so that rather have the money go on assistance to veterans, their widows and children, it goes to:

One of the first scholarships was awarded to Victoria University student Marianne Bevan to fund a visit to East Timor to study militarisation, violence and gender issues in the country’s recently established police force.

That is fine for those who wish to fund such stuff, but I suspect many people who buy a poppy the day before ANZAC Day will assume it it going to the RSA.

PMA should apologise for their behaviour.