Close to 400 people expressed anger at Rudd’s PNG solution yesterday as another protest swept through Brisbane CBD. The march was preceded by speeches and entertainment.
See below for some selected photos of the protest. For the full set of photos, see here.
Audio track of speeches available here (credit: David Jackmanson).
MEDIA RELEASE
3.30pm 25 July, 2013
Police Prosecution claims Talisman Saber protesters halted millions
of dollars of equipment and personnel
Greg Rolles and Graeme Dunstan appeared in Rockhampton Magistrates Court this morning after blockading a convoy of US Marine Humvees inside Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area yesterday.
The police brief of evidence tendered in Graeme’s case stated that “By conducting these activities, the defendant has disrupted the exercise Talisman Saber 2013 and has caused many millions of dollars of equipment and personnel to be put on standby whilst they were dealt with. This was the intention of the defendant in a bid to bring attention to the cause which he passionately supports”.
The Prosecution applied for bail conditions aimed at preventing Mr Dunstan from inciting others to protest. However the Magistrate stated that it is “a free country” and refused the application.
Greg Rolles was charged with Trespass on Commonwealth Land under the Commonwealth Crimes Act, to which he entered a plea of guilty. An hour before court Greg was also charged with a crime under the Defence Act (1903) relating to the possession of a photographic device, one he will contest. His matters have been adjourned for two weeks, and Greg was released on bail.
Graeme Dunstan was also charged with trespass, possessing a photographic device and breaching bail conditions resulting from his involvement in a Ploughshares action in which an Australian army Tiger Attack helicopter was disabled with a blow from a mattock during the 2011 Talisman Sabre.
He pleaded guilty to all charges and was fined a total of $940. In his pre-sentencing statement, his lawyers tabled print outs of Graeme’s Peacebus website which he said detailed 38 years of committed peaceful action (http://www.peacebus.com).
In his final statement, the Magistrate referred to the Nuremberg principles which compel citizens to disobey bad or unjust laws. He indicated that he did not see that those principles applied here.
There are currently 28,000 Australian and US troops undertaking joint military training in Australia, with a focus on the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area.
Mr Rolles and Mr Dunstan cite their opposition to the current wars that Australia had been led into by the US military alliance as key reasons for their action.
“Talisman Saber is about the US military training the Australian military to fight future US wars,” said Mr Dunstan.
For further media comment, contact Graeme Dunstan 0407 951 688
Photos of the pair on their release and time in Shoalwater Bay are available on request
Peace activists Graeme Dunstan and Greg Rolles after appearing in court
Peace Activists Disrupt Talisman Sabre War Games
Peace activists Graeme Dunstan and Greg Rolles appear to have been successful in their efforts to disrupt the Talisman Sabre War Games. After having spent two days within the Shoalwater Bay training grounds see here, ignoring “No Entry” signs and eventually being arrested for trespass, the pair have had their cases heard in court this morning.
During the prosecution brief, police stated that the activists had disrupted exercises and halted the activities of millions of dollars worth of military equipment and personnel: “By conducting these activities, the defendant has disrupted the exercise Talisman Saber 2013 and has caused many millions of dollars of equipment and personnel to be put on standby whilst they were dealt with. This was the intention of the defendant in a bid to bring attention to the cause which he passionately supports”.
While it seems likely the prosecution has overstated the case, as police prosecutors intent on prosecution are want to do (the disruption was likely of minimal consequence to the carrying out of war games), it would appear that the Peace Activists have caused at least some disruption to the exercises.
The police prosecution sought to have bail changed, on the basis that Dunstan may incite further protests. The Magistrate refused to oblige, stating “we live in a free society”. During sentencing the Magistrate referenced Nuremberg, saying that sometimes bad laws need to be broken, but also suggesting that this wasn’t one of those times.
Dunstan pleaded guilty to three offences; trespass under the Commonwealth Crimes Act, breach of bail conditions, and offence relating to a camera under the Defence Act and was fined $940. Rolles was charged with Trespass under the Commonwealth Crimes Act and offence relating to a camera under the Defence Act. Rolles pleaded guilty to trespass but is challenging the camera offence charge. Hearings are adjourned for 2 weeks.
[story edited 3:38PM 25 July to add new information]
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 25 July, 2013
Talisman Sabre protesters in court this morning after a night in jail
Photos of their time inside Shoalwater Bay are on the Pace Convergence website and include pictures of one of the pilgrims blockading a road and stopping a convoy of Humvees, a photo of one of them near roadsigns, and photos of them both praying at a shrine established by other protesters in 2011.
There are currently 28,000 Australian and US troops undertaking joint military training in Australia, with a focus on the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area.
Mr Rolles and Mr Dunstan cite their opposition to the current wars that Australia has joined the US in as key reasons for their action. Their full statements is posted below.
Graeme Dunstan and Greg Rolles about to enter Shoalwater Bay training area
Graeme Dunstan’s Walk On Statement
Talisman Saber 2013
My name is Graeme Dunstan. I am a grey nomad, 71 years old. My vehicle is Peacebus.com, which is both a battered old van and a website where I blog Peacebus protest actions.
It is my intention to trespass onto the Shoalwater Bay Military Area and, by creative nonviolent actions, do the best I can to disrupt the military exercises, demonstrate resistance to the culture of war and preparation for war and create a counter narrative to the propaganda of the military.
I note that after 13 years of unwanted, bloody, costly and futile war in Afghanistan and Iraq that there has been no genuine debate about the cause, conduct or like benefit of the wars in the Parliament nor has there been any consultation with the Australian people.
These wars have never been popular, indeed hundreds of thousands of citizens came out in the streets in opposition to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 only to be ignored. As the former Senator pointed out, that polls indicate that over the years something like 72% of Australian people wanted our troops out of Afghanistan but 92% of elected representatives have insisted they stay.
The terrible truth is that our politicians are more loyal to the demands of the US Embassy in Canberra than they are to the Australian people.
And the political parties and the corporate media conspire to keep the wars off the political agenda.
What can a just man do?
Well I choose to act justly by challenging the war machine and acting for peace.
In the face of endless US wars and cringing obeisance to the US military alliance by Australian politicians such as PM Rudd, I choose to stand tall and be seen as an honourable elder, demonstrating courage and setting a good example for younger men and women.
For the benefit of all beings, large and small, near and far, seen and unseen, born and yet to be born, I choose to be a peacemaker in this time of perpetual war.
End the lies, I say. End the wars. End the US military alliance.
Graeme Dunstan
_________________________________
Greg Rolles’ Walk On Statement
Talisman Saber 2013
Today I have entered the Shoalwater Bay Area in protest against the Talisman Sabre War Rehearsals.
My aim is to disrupt the Talisman Sabre Exercises. I am doing this to demonstrate my commitment to nonviolent confrontation of injustice.
The misnomer of Australia and the US being a ‘defence force’, needs to be challenged. Since at least 2001, the Australian and US military forces have taken and continue to take many innocent lives and waste money that could be used in, amongst others, our ailing education system. This is a theft of common treasure squandered in the pursuit of global power, which has demonstrated the opposite of its desired effect. The Middle East and Eastern Asia are now much more unstable and much worse places to live than they were before 2001. Our military men and women have not been used to help people, but to destroy lives, families, cities and countries.
As a Christian, as a teacher with a responsibility to our children and as a citizen of the globe, I am morally compelled to take direct action against this injustice.
I am doing this in protest of the US/Australian Military Alliance. I am a Secondary School history teacher. The history peddled by our political leaders of Australia being saved by the USA in 1942 is not an accurate history, as demonstrated by the statement made by Peter Stanley about the “Battle for Australia” Day proclamation in 2008.
I am acting outside of the law for an independent and peaceful Australia. I believe that as a nation we can do better.
We can do better than follow the US into another Dirty War. The Afghan War has cost us 40 Australian Soldiers, 268 wounded and at least 15 suicides this year by veterans. This is not to mention the millions of civilian deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan, the $31 Billion and severe environmental impacts of these wars.
We can do better than buying our Allies Joint Strike Fighters at an estimated cost of nearly $1.4 Billion. This is money that could have contributed to the Gonski review instead of being stripped from our universities.
We can do better than cooperating with the US in these War Rehearsals. Australia has the opportunity to be a genuine leader in cooperation and peace in the South Pacific and South East Asian blocs, to build stronger ties with our large Northern neighbour, China. We should have games focused on developing ties with our region and building peace, rather than remaining a part of the expensive, wasteful and destructive American War Machine.
I want to teach our children the ways of peace and cooperation, not war and death. I have worked with the kids who will be our future and for their sakes, we need to do better now.
Greg Rolles
Peace activists Graeme Dunstan and Greg Rolles have been arrested for trespass in an effort to disrupt the Talisman Sabre military exercises near Rockhampton.
Dunstan and Rolles entered the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area the morning of the 23rd July. They first made their way to the Franz Jagerstatter shrine, first established by peace activists two years ago. From there they continued to make their way through the training area, camping overnight, and then eventually coming across a convoy of humvees, which they stopped.
Their presence was reported to police and both activists were arrested inside the training area and taken to Rockhampton watchouse.
During their trek, activists outside the training area contacted military and government authorities in an attempt to have live fire exercises halted out of concern for the activist’s safety. The response to the requests have not been released due to military secrecy requirements. Scott Ludlam of the Australian Greens also called for cessation of live fire. See the Greens media release.
More details and photos at http://peaceconvergence.wordpress.com/
(Photos used with permission)
Peace activists Graeme Dunstan and Greg Rolles as they enter the Shoalwater Bay exercise area
Franz Jagerstatter shrine
Activists camp out for the night
No Entry
Greg Rolles stops humvee convoy
In what is perhaps no great surprise, a 4 Corners investigation has discovered that the herbicide 24D contains elevated levels of dioxins. According to the report, the levels are the highest in 10-20 years and are potentially hazardous to health.
Dioxins are the class of chemicals found in Agent Orange and banned pesticides such as DDT.
The Australian industry regulator (the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority or APVMA) says it has referred the test results on to the Office of Chemical Safety for assessment.
The ABC has the full story: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-22/four-corners-dangerous-dioxins/4833848
Iranian refugees being told of the PNG Solution policy
Social media is awash with outrage today after the release by the Immigration Department of photos of refugee arrivals who have just been told of the new PNG Solution policy.
The photos show the refugees in obvious distress, and the whole incident appears to be manufactured by the Department of Immigration to support it’s tough new position on boat arrivals. It seems hardly likely that photographers would just happen to be on hand to photograph the refugees at the same time they were told of their being moved onwards to PNG. The photos are likely an intentional part of the government’s PNG Solution propaganda.
The photos can be seen here.
In what appears to be a wildly misinformed statement, Steven Karras, action Regional Manager for the Department of Immigration said of the refugees reactions “I’m sure they’re now thinking about whether it was wise to come in the first place. And I think in fact over the coming days … they will start to contemplate very seriously whether in fact returning home is a better option.”
Refugees spanning an ocean on substandard vessels, having spent their life savings and having endured untold hardships just to escape their circumstances, are unlikely to consider returning to their homeland to be more preferable than being processed on PNG. Of course if the conditions are so bad on PNG that it would act as a deterrent, then Australia is in dire breach of it’s obligation to the UN Convention on Refugees. Indeed, just this policy alone is almost certainly a breach of the convention.
ABC Radio Transcript discussing the photos: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-22/immigration-dept-publicises-asylum-seeker-reaction/4836284
After the announcement of Rudd’s PNG solution policy – a plan to send all refugee boat arrivals to PNG for processing and relocation – the Brisbane activist community responded with a snap rally in King George Square today. The rally will be followed with a protest at Rudd’s office Monday morning.
The rally attracted about 300 people and included speakers, entertainment and a march. Larissa Waters of The Greens spoke, followed by a range of speakers and music by Phil Monsour. Following this the group voted to march and set off down Adelaide Street, Edward Street, Charlotte Street, George Street and back down Adelaide.
Following are some inspiring pictures from the event.
For more photos click here.
Press Release via Refugee Action Coalition
Manus island “PNG solution” is no solution
Attorney General Mark Dreyfuss has repudiated Japanese claims that the Australian government is colluding with The Sea Shepherd as a means of ‘outsourcing’ maritime enforcement.
Dreyfus said: “Australia has a longstanding position, along with other nations, that vessels in the Southern Ocean comply with international law. We’ve called for proper conduct [in the Southern Ocean]. Japan isn’t entering into a proper debate. It’s a ridiculous suggestion that isn’t relevant to this case.”
“This case is about science and whether Japan’s whaling is scientific or not. Regrettably, Japan has decided to raise matters not relevant to this.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/jul/10/mark-dreyfus-whaling-japan-court