Les beanz - On a sad note...

Jan. 15th, 2008

03:57 pm - On a sad note...

Peter McGregor, 1947-2008.

Essayist, activist and all around nice guy.

Vociferous critic of the Viet Nam war, apartheid and racism.

Once got his way into a press conference where Philip Ruddock was speaking, jumped on stage, grabbed him and announce he was making a citizen's arrest against this war criminal. (Was pissed when he didn't get to take it all the way to court because he'd put together a kickass defence!)

Despite his age, was an open anarchist, hippie and occaisonal dope fiend, even in front of my parents!

I saw him last Sunday. I still can't believe he's gone.

I'll miss you Pete. You inspired us all. Why did you do it?

Sigh.

I hate death.

Tags: activism, death

Current Location: parent's home

Current Mood: sad

sad

(2 comments | Leave a comment)

Comments:

From:	(Anonymous)
Date:	January 15th, 2008 10:17 am (UTC)

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I knew Peter from 1974, and last saw him in Ballarat on December 3 2007. He was a great friend and comrade to enjoy a graffiti run, protest or a joint with (and many other activities).

He had a rare degenerative brain disease that had manifested in the last year or two. Peter loved life, and all the people he met, but he wanted the dignity of choosing when to die while he was still cognisant. He was a member of Exit International, the voluntary euthanasia society, and he had the bravery and the where with all to carry out a very hard decision. Like in much of his activism, his death was another example of leading by example.

I shall miss Peter's positive wisdom, playfulness, his laugh, and his earnest hopes for creating a better world.

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From:	les_beanz
Date:	January 16th, 2008 01:25 am (UTC)

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That makes me feel so much better! Johanna's email was a little cryptic...I was so sad, thinking the person I believed in had nothing to believe in.

I am also a strong believer in euthanasia, and it gives me great comfort to know that Peter died the same way he lived - with insight, grace and bravery.

Thankyou, whoever you are.

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