Acquitted In Ireland, Heading to Alice Springs in Support of Pine Gap Defendants!

by ordinary joe Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:43

I respect and applaud Ciaron O'Reilly's action at Shannon, though I think he tends at times to exaggerate its importance and his own role (he was one of five). However I really find this constant updating by Ciaron O'Reilly on Ciaron O'Reilly's activities a bit much. I'm beginning to suspect that he's obsessed with his own importance and this is getting in the way of people taking him seriously and listening to his arguments. His tendency to patronise anything that isn't "arrestable" is also annoying.

Maybe it's just me feeling grumpy this morning but another list of what he's up to on the other side of the planet just doesn't do it for me.

Maybe I just need a cup of coffee. Sorry Ciaron.

by Ciaron - Dublin Catholic Worker Fri Sep 29, 2006 15:57 At Large, Down Under!

Yeah Joe I think your grumpy.

I'm drunk after a great blues night at our local libertarian centre with indigenous and pakeha.
The truth is until you get a publicist, it's always gonna look like self publicity. Like self activity that's all we got in such disengaged societies with the war (Ireland & Australia), the few resisters will stand out. and as you know indy isn't here for your entertainment, you do know that Joe don't you?

The best you can do is resist the war and I'll be happy to fade into the crowd as we turn this thing around. If that's too much for you, take advice from Redjade and skip any thread or comment where you see my name.

If I'm the only subjective bridge between folks in Ireland and this crew in Alice feel free to trample over me to get to them. They need your help now!

Man we're going to build such a big movement, we're gonna have people with different hairststyles, musical tastes, politics..... So big we're going to have people in it that don't like each other. So don't let me hold you back.

by redjade Sat Sep 30, 2006 00:35

''Controversial Catholic peace activist, Ciaron O'Reilly, has returned to Australia following his recent acquittal on a charge of criminal damage to a US Navy warplane in Ireland to support four Australian anti-war activists facing trial next week in the Northern Territory.

Mr O'Reilly, originally from Brisbane, said he is in Australia to support the four Christian activists who will face trial in the Northern Territory Supreme Court following their "Citizen's Inspection" of the US spy base at Pine Gap, Alice Springs, in December last year.

The four were charged under the new Defence Special Undertakings Act with entering a prohibited area and taking photos.''

more at
http://www.cathnews.com/news/609/169.php

by Ciaron - Dublin Catholic Worker Sat Sep 30, 2006 01:07

Dear Folks,

I had a soft enuff landing this time around. A thorough going over by customs based on looks rather than identity. Once the bag was opened lots of conversation about the nature of the war and Australian involvement in it ensued.

As you maybe aware, on my last trip to Australia I was met right off the ramp by agents of the Australian Security Organisation.

http://slackbastard.anarchobase.com/?p=113

I made as much political hay of this event as possible linking the evaporation of civil liberties in Australia witht he esclataion of the war effort (isn't that always the case life and freedom are the first to go as the war machine is cranked up and society accepts the rationing of our liberty and dissent?). Last visits detention and questioning was covered in mainstream media, The Melbourne Age, Irish Echo (weekly for the diaspora) newspapers, varied websites (from Crikey to Church) and radio.

This time I approaced it with a "come and get me this is great" email...bit like Brer Rabbit and the Briar patch tale inverted. It worked, no ASIO on landing even though one of the first questions last time was I planning to go to Alice Springs (near Pine Gap). The purpose of my journey this time is to testify at the trial of the Pine Gap crew in Alice www.pinegap6.org

Meanwhile in Alice last week, Federal Police questioned a local about my good self be due to be arriving the same day as a plane is coming in from the U.S. U.S. Starlifters arrive in Alice twice a week to resupply the NSA Pine Gap base. They travel from Maryland via Hawaii and Christchurch/New Zealand (Aotearoa) to a military base in Sydney (Richmond?) and then on to Alice. Alice activists once delayed their landing by hiring bicylcles and riding them around on the runway in circles until apprehended!

At the defendants last pre-trial hearing. Feds approached the defendants and stated,
"We know Ciaron O'Reilly is here directing operations. We know he's had a haircut. We know he plans further action at Pine Gap!" On that day I was in Sydney being interviewed by a TV show. I have yet to visit Alice Springs or Pine Gap!

Although all this attention may seem flattering to me and insulting to anyone associated with me, there is a more sinister undercurrent. With the expansion of security/ anti-terrorist experts in Australia and elsewhere, when they haven't got a serious problem. They need to take someone like me, inflate me and spin me into a problem worthy of their time, budgets and underused expertise. They need a problem to solve to justify their employment, promotions and department expansions. If I'm regarded as a serious problem for the security forces in Australia, they really don't have a problem.

Beside the "High Noon" ambience evolving in an isolated town of 20,000 (6,000 indigenous, over 1.000 U.S. related to the base) and seems like choc a bloc with Feds and police drafted in from other states, I am looking forward to going to Alice Springs for the first time. I'm looking forward to bringing messages of solidarity from Ireland to the defendants.

by Mara Starwood Sun Oct 01, 2006 02:14

I am in New Zealand. My son is with you in Alice. I will be praying powerfully for all during this coming week. The holy spirit is an awesome ally.
Love and May peace be with all.
Mara Starwood

by Totti Sun Oct 01, 2006 02:49

Prayers are not good enough. More needs to be done.

by . Sun Oct 01, 2006 13:48

Slan , a Chiaron agus go n'eiri an mbothar leatsa.

gur raibh maith agatsa.

by Bristol Update Sun Oct 01, 2006 20:40

http://bristol.indymedia.org/newswire.php?story_id=25417

by Upadate Sun Oct 01, 2006 21:57

Catholic News Service

http://www.cathnews.com/news/609/169.php

Westender (Brisbane)
http://www.westender.com.au/stories.php?s_id=319

by Ciaron - Dublin Catholic Worker Mon Oct 02, 2006 09:41 St Mary's, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Homily based on the Gospel reading for the day (Sun Oct 1st '06),
Mark 9 38-43, 45, 47-48
given at St. Mary's church, South Brisbane
during the mass celebrating the Gay, Bisexual & Lesbian Community
Sunday Oct 22.nd 5 pm

"John said to Jesus, "Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we tried to stop him because he is not one of our company." Jesus said in reply

"Do not try to stop him. No man who performs a miracle using my name can at the same time speak ill of me. Anyone who is not against us is with us. Any man who gives you a drink of water because you belong to Christ will not, I assure you go without reward. But it would be better if anyone who leads astray one of these simple believers were to be plunged in the sea with a great millstone fastened around his neck.

If your hand is your difficulty, cut it off! Better for you to enter life maimed than to keep both hands and enter Gehenna with its unquenchable fire.

If your foot is your undoing, cut it off! Better for you to enter life crippled than to be thrown into Gehenna with both feet.

If your eye is your downfall, tear it out! Better you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to be thrown into Gehenna, where the worm does not die and the fire is never extinguished." Mark 9 38-43, 45 47-49

This is the Good News of Jesus Christ

Good afternoon, I bring warm greetings from James Alison, celebrated Catholic gay theologian, who I met recently at the Greenbelt music festival in Cheltenham and who spoke so powerfully in this church about a year ago.

My name is Ciaron O’Reilly I’ve just landed in Brisbane from Dublin, Ireland, where I and four friends from the Catholic Worker movement (the Pit Stop Ploughshares) were recently found not guilty by a unnanimous jury verdict of “$US 2.5 million criminal damage without lawful excuse” to U.S. Navy war plane at Shannon Airport deploying to the invasion of Iraq
www.peaceontrial.com

This Thursday, I head to Alice Springs to support two old friends Jim Dowling and Bryan Law and two new friends Adele Goldie & Donna Mulhearn charged under the Defense Act, facing maximum seven year sentences, for a simple nonviolent trespass and citizen’s inspection at Pine Gap, a U.S. NSA Base that targets for U.S. bombing raids in Iraq . www.pinegap6.org

I grew up in Mitchelton, behind the Enoggera Army Barracks during the Vietnam War and was educated there by the Good Samritan nuns and later in Fortitude Valley by the Christian Brothers.

At the end of the 1970’s a group of young Catholics coming out of experiences with engaging aboriginal homeless youth and nonviolent resistance to the excesses of the Bjelke Petersen state government stumbled across the radical Catholic Worker tradition in North America.

Three prophets inspired us in different aspects of discipleship which seemed relevant for us in Brisbane. Catholic Worker founder, Peter Maurin’s anarchic vision of a society and economy “where it would be easier for people to be good!"
Catholic Worker founder Dorothy Day’s exaltation to live with the poor and “comfort the afflict the comfortable and afflict the comfortable”
www.catholicworker.org
And Dan & Phil Berrigan who inspired us to nonviolent resistance to the war machine and warned us,
"The poor tell us who we are, the prophets tells us who we could be,
So we hide the poor and kill the prophets”
www.jonahhouse.org

We came in contact with Fr. Peter Kennedy and St. Mary’s, South Brisbane, in the early ‘80’s when we were prisoners in Boggo Rd. Jail and Fr. Peter was prison chaplain. Peter would give homilies coming from his experiences with the most despised and excluded of Australian society, those out of sight out of mind, buried alive in prison.. So every Sunday we would trundle down from our Catholic Worker hospitality house on Boundary St. West End. to St Mary's. Our relationship with this church is over 20 years old.

We were, and are, quite a crew! You might know some of us. My brother Sean O’Reilly, lawyers Terry Fisher, Phil Hall and Moana Cole, disability activist Lisa Bridle, Catholic Worker farmers Jim Dowling & Anne Rampa, Green activists Angela Jones and Mark White, nuns Kay Mc Padden, & Cass Dawson, theologian Anthony Gwyther, West Papua solidarity activists Rachel Harrison and Damien LeGoullon, anti-war activists Simon Bliss, Aiden Booker, Treena Lenthall, Mal McKenna, Joanne Merrigan, Grace Devitt and the impossible to define, living legend Bernie Pat Moloney.

Over the last 25 years, we sometimes literally lived on top of each other sleeping in bunks at the Catholic Worker house and in jail, sometimes chained together in custody and common purse and stuck together in solidarity.

Sometimes we have been separated by oceans, prison walls, thousands of miles of desert and alienation from each other after letting each other down.

But life continues to throw us together at funerals, baptisms, marriages and trials. In this small geographic space of West End/ South Brisbane we responded to the high crimes of the imperial state – aboriginal deaths in custody, the police killing of Daniel Yock a few streets away from this church while this afternoon mass was happening, the World Fair "Expo 88" and the gentrification and evictions in the area it generated, the crime of Boggo Rd. Jail, the myriad of wars unleashed on the people of Central America, East Timor, West Papua and the Middle East; and preparations for nuclear war and uranium exports.

We shared our common lives with aboriginal youth, homeless folks with mental health issues, released prisoners, illegal asylum seekers, and on one occasion tried to help with a prison escape from Boggo Rd.

We came from a predominantly Irish-Australian Catholic Church,
At its worse.....
-a church compromised by its historic collaboration with British imperialism in Ireland.
-a church that prioritised its take on sexual ethics to the exclusion of all other ethical questions that makes us human – the economy, our violent history with traditional owners etc. It was this obssession that led to its greatest fall.
-a church obsessed with upward mobility of Irish Catholics in Australia rather than solidarity with the anawym.

At its best .........
-a church that produced prophets like Fr. Ted Kennedy and Mum Shirl, advocates like Jesuits Frank Brennan and Peter North, countless others Catholics who valued people over material wealth and were solidly for years on the coal face for the poor and against injustice.
-a church that offered catholic spirituality as anti-venom against the idolatry of consumersism.

Part of our growth as radical Catholics has been the voices and examples of radicals form other traditions.
Radical protestants such as local Edmund Coxesedge, historically Martin Luther King and William Stringfellow.
Local secular leftists like Brian Laver, Dan O’Neill, Gary MacLennan who shared the arrests and watchhouses with us in the early days. Internationally the analysis and examples of Noam Chomsky, Abbie Hoffman and others
Radical Hindus like Ghandi, radical pagans like Starhawk, radical Buddhists like the monks of the Nipponzon Myohoji. These people have made us better Catholics by radically exploring their own traditions and I'm sure the Catholic Worker has been an aid to them in that exploration.

There's an old saying, that the Catholics took the sacraments and the protestants took the bible…so no surprises that it has been our radical protestant brothers and sisters that have helped to beak open the scripture for us as a source of nourishment.

For us in the Brisbane Catholic Worker experiment it has been U.S. theologian Ched Myers and his commentary on Mark's gospel "Binding the Strongman" (Orbis Press, USA) that has opened our eyes! Ched believes that out of the Third World, (Africa, Asia, Latin America) which is oppressed by our global economy will come a "Theology of Liberation". In response from the First World (Australia, North America, Western Europe), privileged by the exploitation of the global economy, will come a "Theology of Repentance and Resistance".

Which brings us to the reading of the day.
Mark Chapter 9 38-43, 45 & 47-48

This scripture is written at a time of war. War rages around Mark’s community, about 50 AD, the Romans are suffering an internal political crisis at there imperial centre and their military reach has been weakened. They are pushed out for a period by the Jewish insurrection and nationalist guerillas, the Romans will return after a few years to level Jerusalem, "not a stone will be left upon a stone". As Mark's gospel is written the call to arms by Jewish nationalists and threats by the regrouping Roman legions are deafening, there are informers in the Christian community that suffers attacks from both sides.

We read the gospel today in a time of war, maybe we are at the beginning of WW3, maybe the beginning of the end of the sole U.S. empire as it is run to the ground by the most reckless administration in its history- presently spending $US 2 billion a week losing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is as time when people who speak up and act out against this war are hit with heavy charges, treated as national security threats rather than citizen's with rights. The threat of heavy jail time hangs over the them, warm friends cool in fear of guilt by association. It is a time when things that felt secure and defined us as civilised are evaporating, civil liberties, the Geneva Conventions the rejection of torture as legitimate.

We read this gospel at time when the war escalates in Iraq and and expands into Lebanon and probably into Iran by the end of the year. It is a war that has come home to New York City, Madrid, London and Australian tourists in Bali. Since we acted at Shannon airport, in February 2003, to nonviolently disarm the a U.S. Navy war plane and resist U.S. troop deployment to the invasion of Iraq; over 2,500 young Americans (most who wouold have passed through Shannon) have returned in body bags, 10,000 have returned with the loss of limb, mind and permanent injury and another 10,000 with injuries should eventually physically recover from. In the meantime, Lancett Report estimates 150,000 Iraqis, mostly women and children have been slain.

The war rages while First World societies remain largely disengaged, passive and sedated. In the First World the media covers up, not covers, the war and resistance to it. The campuses, the arts and churches maintain a housebroken silence in the face of this war. Bohemian youth culture has abandoned the naievity and idealism of the "hippies" and anger and urgency of the "punks" and embrace the silent self harm of "emo". If that is not a canary in the mine shaft, a sign in this generation, I'm not sure what is?

In the First World there is no popular support for this war - in the U.S. Britain, Ireland or Australia - but there is little visible or popular opposition to the war. All the traditional sources of resistance have flatlined - trade unions, churches, campuses, youth culture, the arts. Civil liberties shrink unnoticed, the Muslim community is targetted, like the Irish were once in Britain and anti-war activists are hit with the heaviest of charges for the most minimal anti-war resistance!

Jim Dowling, Adele Goldie, Bryan Law and Donna Mulhearn face charges under the draconian legislaiaon and seven years jail time, thousands of miles from home, for a simple trespass and a citizen's inspection of the NSA warfighting Pine Gap base, near Alice Springs.

When we break open the scripture, we break open it as a community in a specific time and place. We lay aside all the prejudices we have built up and bring to it, "the bible is an old, boring irrelevant book obsessed exclusively with sexual ethics". I'm sure all of us would have specific apendage anxiety on hearing this gospel reading of Mark if we bring to it a simplistic, illiterate attitude.

What does the scripture tell us in this time and place? It tells us what we already know if we pause in silence and listen to our hearts. It tells us that we, like the early disciples, are more obssessed with the temptations of power & status than we are with realising the Kingdom of God, following Jesus vision & praxis of justice and mercy. Listen to the obssessions with status & power of John in the reading....
"John said to Jesus, 'Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we tried to stop him because he is not one of our company". Mark 38

Jesus tells us that the movement we will build to stop this war and nonviolently bring about a society based on justice and mercy will be an ecumenical hook up with radicals from all traditions....Catholics, Protestants, Pagans, Buddhists, agnostics, Hindus, Punks, feminists, gays.

"Do not try to stop him. No man who performs a miracle using my name can at the same time speak ill of me. Anyone who is not against us is with us. Any man who gives you a drink of water because you belong to Christ will not, I assure you, go without his reward" Mark 39-41

We know, and Jesus tells us, that the church is only relevant in how it facilitates the Kingdom of God (of justice and mercy), the nonviolent coming of Christ. We have to drop our built up prejudices as anti-war resistance will break out in the most unexpected places! Who would have thought that more anti-war resistance would come from within the British and American militaries and from military families than out of the civilian peace movements in those countries? That is the case now!

I'm an old punk rocker from the early '80's, who would have guessed that George Michael of "Wham" would be the most courageous, articulate anti-war voice in pop culture at this time a he tours for the first time in 15 years with his inflatable stage backdrops depicitng the sychophantic murderous relationship between Bush and Blair?

This scripture tells us, what we already know, that bad things have happened, will happen and are going to happen in the faith community. That things, techniques and attitudes that are first seen as useful and utilitarian, as essential as a hand, foot or eye maybe obstructions that need to be cut out, cut off or cut down if we are going to enter the Kngdom of Justice and Mercy.

"If your hand is your difficulty, cut it off! Better for you to enter life maimed than to keep both hands and enter Gehenna with its unquenchable fire.

If your foot is your undoing, cut it off! Better for you to enter life crippled than to be thrown into Gehenna with both feet.

If your eye is your downfall, tear it out! Better you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to be thrown with both eyes into Gehenna, where the worm does not die and the fire is never extinguished." Mark 43--48

For example,
-government funding of church projects to aid the poor. Maybe they are a means of co-opting the church in the privatisation of social welfare and a means to get us to control, oppress and manage the poor on behalf of the state? Maybe we need to CUT IT OFF refuse the role of poverty pimp and return to the basic acts of mercy practised by all the christain community not left to well paid experts and carrerists.
-apparently the average justice, peace and soldairty activist spends four hours daily on the internet and is rarely seen on the streets. Maybe we should see this virtual activism for what it is inhabitating a virtual world. Maybe we should all commit to CUT DOWN on internet activity, stand publicly for an hour a week with a sign in witness against this war and engage whatever human being who comes along to respond to our anti-war witness.
-I truly believe if 1% of the millions who marched against this war in Feb 2003 had gone into nonviolent resistance in the tradition of Ghandi and Martin Luther King and gone to jail against this war and the other 99% had proactively supported them; the Western governments would have found it impossible to wage and sustain this war.

If it is a case of a resister subculture isolated in jail feeling morally superior and wallowing in isolation. We've got to CUT THAT OUT.

If it is a case of everyone else who marched in '03 feeling resigned, paralysed, guilty and resentful of those who continue to resist the war. We've got to CUT THAT OUT.

Thanx for your time today. I truly believe that with enough faith, nonviolent resistance and solidarity we can stop this war.

by Update Tue Oct 03, 2006 15:04

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200610/s1754879.htm

by Update Tue Oct 03, 2006 22:57

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0925-07.htm

by Ciaron - Dublin Catholic Worker Wed Oct 04, 2006 00:58 Heading Outback Down Under

Hey Ho,

Blue skies (severe drought) great weather. Catching up lots of friends & family.
Word from Alice Springs, is that yesterday was spent in pre-trial argument around the issues of the charges being inappropriate. A former Federal Court judge has volunteered his services to the defendants, sensing the charges an attack on civil liberites in relation to dissent to Australian involvement n the war.

The defendants who participated in a minimal, theatric, nonviolent (at its legal worse) trespass at the secretive Pine Gap base are being treated like major threats to national security. In the '80's many nonviolent activists(eg. "Women for Survival", "Anti-Bases Campaign" etc) were arrested for mass trespass at Pine Gap. This is the first time that peace activists have been charged with the authoritarian Defence (Special Undertakings) Act that carries 7 year maximum sentences. Indeed this is the first time anyone has been charged with it since it came into effect in 1952!

The Judge has reserved the decision on the arguments made yesterday. The state has assembled a team of 6 lawyers, ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisaton) has a very big involvement in the case and a large presence in Alice Springs presently. I'm expecting they will be a part of the welcoming comittee when I land in Alice tomorrow (Thurs). Coincidently a U.S. military flight is touching down at this small outback airport on the same day and concerns have been expressed about this coincidence.

The only national newspaper, "The Australian", carried a banner line yesterday "80%(of Australians) believe Iraq war has failed!". A new poll conducted by the Lowry Institute found two-thirds of Australians did not agree the war would lead to a spread of democracy in th Middle East" (I thought we went to war over WMD, but I guess they don't ask those kind of questions anymore!) This war has no popular support here, in U.S., Britain, Ireland or anywhere. Just goes to show they don't need to have popular support to have a war these daze!

The contardictions about the war abound eg. Cheney and Bush who evaded service in Vietnam sending working class cannon fodder off to kill and die for them, the Saudi princes living it up on hedonist holidays in the West returning to run a repressive, prudish society, now expresses itself in the Australian SAS. In the immediate aftermath of the start of the Iraq War, SAS sources say that 150 had left the regiment with many taking lucrative positions in private securty firms in Iraq. With each Sabre squadron containing fewer than 100 men, tis means the regiment have struggled to find enough troops to fill its three squadrons, making it harder to meet the demands made on them.

With three squadrons, it is impossible for the SAS to properly rotate its troops, keeping some soldiers deployed in combat, resting others and maintaining a third squadron on standby for counter-terrorism duties. So the Australian taxpayer has spent a mint on training these guys in specialist ways to kill the and the private contractors are reaping from their training without having to make investment.

As we (me, my older brother, younger brother, cousin from Offaly, handful of friends from previous anti-war actions and a barefoot hippy drafted while passing by with a "Where do you think you are going?") took to the streets in solidarity vigils with the Pine Gap defendants, it was hard to find this 80% expressing any public dissent over the war. As in Ireland, opposition to the war remains massive, passive and invisible!

Last night 50 folks turned up for a public talk by moi at the local libertarian ("Ahimsa") centre. A great venue, good bar, lots of meeting space, good big major room. I asked one of the centre organisers "How's it going here, generally?" He retorted "We've got a great building no (libertarian activist) movement!" I responded "Sounds like the church, we got a lot of great empty buidings too!" Australian humour-we're into aggressive intimacy, what can I say!

It was a good cross section audience, histories with NVDA experience, a socialist from Roscommon, folks who heard me on ABC radio the night before, old friends from the '70's/'80's/'90's, a couple of women who drove an hour and half from the north coast for the meeting. Only one young person (uni age)..go figure!

Local Briz anti-war activism is presently focussed on solidarity with the Pine Gap crew, U.S. warship & sub visits to Briz and next year's "Australian-US Joint Military Exercise Talisman Sabre 07" involving 30,000 +U.S military. The exercises taking place 700 km north of Brisbane, in Shoalwater Bay, (and people complain that Dub-Shannon is too far to go to confront U.S. troops!) is to practice the basics of bombing, raiding and invading (sexual harrasment, physical assault of the civvie locals & environmental destruction are merely secondary spin offs) The use of Depleted Uranium munitions is highly likely during these exercises, the presence of nuclear powered and armed warships is a definite! A national peace convergeance on Shoalwater Bay has been called for May-June 2007.
www.peaceconvergeance.com

by Robyn Wood - Tara_Defenders Wed Oct 04, 2006 01:10 peacefulwarriorprincess at yahoo dot com dot au Australia (soon to be Dublin)

Sounds like our paths will cross as I head north to Tara.

This is being kept under wraps in my country, first I have hear of it is on here.

I will get the word out locally and link in with environmental groups.

Onwards and upwards my friends.

Best regards,

Robyn Wood
Adelaide, South Australia

p.s. ASIO are a joke they are little boys playing at being spies and not a very good job. Don't accept anything they say at face value - challenge challenge. An ASIO guy hassled my friend at the Donald Rumsfeld anti-war protest last November, the State police officer who witnessed it told him off and there was nothing ASIOguy could do but slink off with his tail between his legs....

I've had an ASIO file for 20 years and lived to tell the tale ;-)

by Where's the punchline? Wed Oct 04, 2006 01:29 Australia

Well if you are a serious nonviolent activist against the war, like Scott Parkin, an Iraqi refugee or Jack Thomas presently living under a preventative detention order with no charges pending - ASIO is no joke!
See link......

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/117310.php

by Jessica Wed Oct 04, 2006 07:51 Alice Springs Court, Northern Territory, Australia

REPORT FROM ALICE SPRINGS/ TRIAL OF THE PINE GAP CREW

Hi to all our friends. Below is some text from the website that we have just updated.

The brief version is that the Judge has reserved her decision on whether the prosecution is bound to prove that Pine Gap exists for the defence of Australia against internal agression. The Defence want the Crown to justify why they think this base is necessary to defend Australia.

This week there is heaps of great energy and activity. Keep up to date with our website: www.pinegap6.org

Cheers

Jessica
____________________________---

Wednesday, October 4th

THE QUEEN VERSUS THE PINE GAP 4 - DAY ONE
Trial – Day 1

Today represented the first stage of the trial of the Pine Gap 4, which consisted of legal argument surrounding the the Prosecution's use of the Defence Special Undertakings Act.

There were about 30 people (both locals and interstate visitors) who formed a colourful procession through Todd Street mall to the court. The spirit of the peace march to the courthouse was powerful and with Jim, Donna, Adele and Bryan leading the procession, we are all reminded of their strength and the need for solidarity. Our silence reflected the solemnity of the reason we’re all here, and our need to draw from inner convictions before acting.

Several camera crews met us at the court house – and although most of them were not in Blue uniforms, we knew they were from the Aust Federal police. I do wonder how many photos they need of us! They had already taken several when we arrived at the airport earlier in the day. Bryan shared some words with the crowd outside the court, listing all the lies our Governments told us leading about the Iraq war and reminding us of why we have all traveled so far to be here. Dave, a local Catholic man shared a prayer of blessing for the trial and for strength and that both sides would hold to their integrity and share their truth.

Inside the court room we were confronted by all the wigs and gowns, worn on both sides, reminding us that it was a Supreme Court hearing, and the seriousness of the charges. Northern Territory police flanked the defendants on both sides, and many other police and Protective Services staff were sitting in the room. What ensued was three hours of complex legal argument which stretched every one of our tired brains to follow the complexities of the legal wrangling.

Court Argument

The crux of the submission by our defence was that the Crown had not proved that Pine Gap defends the interests of the Commonwealth and therefore the defendants should be acquitted of the charges under the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act (DSU Act). Our Counsel, Rowena Orr, appeared by videolink from Melbourne and was outstanding in her grasp of the complexities of these issues.

From Rowena we heard that the DSU Act limits a fundamental right of freedom, and therefore there must be very stringent tests applied this law. The Crown on the other hand argued that the land is ‘private’ and therefore private property rights are paramount. A heckler in the court loudly whispered that it is Anangu land, and all this talk of private property was ridiculous.

The Accused return to court on Thursday to try to drag information out of the Crown, and to fight their suppression order. They will then return again on Thursday 12th in regard to today’s matters. The judge will either deliver a decision next Thursday or give a date when this will happen.

Reflections

The sense of yearning felt by Tracey, a supporter from Queensland, that ignorance of the general public of the threat that lies right on their doorstep is astounding. Also, the need to bring positive energy and encouragement to the four defendants is vital, since their willingness to act begs for the support and solidarity from other Christians. Alice Spring is a small town in the heart of Australia, my feelings are to stop the terrorism in our heartland.

Jo, a supporter who arrived from Sydney on Monday is excited to be here as history is made – he is convinced of the significance of this legal process. Personally he regards the trip as part of his own pilgrimage.

The most significant thing for Jessica today was sitting in court next to the head of security at Pine Gap. Being in close body contact was a constant reminder for me of our shared humanity. We both had reminder notes written on our hands, were trying to capture the crux of the court proceedings, and follow the process. Our legal system is an adversarial one, and invites us to divide into “them” and “us” – our challenge is to know that we have no enemies.

During the earlier procession reactions from the passer-bys varied. One woman mouthed the worlds “blessings to you” as she walked past. Another man heckled us all with “thank God for the Gap”. Some Christians conducting a play for what appeared to be evangelical purposes were overheard to say “they should just be preaching Jesus” – ironic because that’s exactly what we felt we were doing.

The next court appearance is this Thursday Oct 5th. More news soon!

by Pine Gap 4 Wed Oct 04, 2006 09:45

CHRISTIAN PACIFISTS CHALLENGE PINE GAP IN SUPREME COURT

October 4, 2006

The trial of four Christian pacifists in the Northern Territory Supreme Court yesterday challenged the Governments attempts to silence public criticism of US military bases in Australia.

In a legal first, the four defendents, Jim Dowling, Bryan Law, Adele Goldie and Donna Mulhearn are charged under the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952 which carries a maximum of seven years in prison for trespass.

The group conducted a “Citizen’s Inspection” of Pine Gap military base last year, managing breach the security of the top-secret facility, scale a building, unfurl banners and take photographs.

The defence Barrister, Rowena Orr, told the court she believed the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act limits the fundamental right of freedom of movement of its citizens and therefore must be very stringent in its application.

Ms Orr said the act requires the government to prove that Pine Gap defends Australia’s interests against external aggression and if it cannot do so, the defendents should be acquitted.

The Judge reserved her decision and set a further date for mention on Thursday 12th October. The defendants return to court this Thursday, October 5 to fight a secret suppression order placed on them, as well as a discovery order to gain information from the Crown that they are not providing.

Donna Mulhearn, one of the accused, said the charges are clearly political and reflect the Government’s persecution of citizens who challenge their agenda of war.

“This case shows that the level of control they are seeking is excessive, and we must curb the actions of Governments in attempting to control,” she said.

“We put an alternative view to the Australian people- super secret American spy bases do NOT hold the key to Australia’s security.

“Our security lies in building better relationships.”

Supporters of the group from around the country are gathering in Alice Springs this week for a national peace convergence aimed at drawing attention to Pine Gap and its role in the war in Iraq. A forum will be held on Friday night with international activist, Ciaron O’Reilly, recently acquitted for causing over $2million damage to a US military plane at Shannon airport in Ireland.

There is also protest action planned at the Pine Gap facility on Saturday at 2pm.

For further information and interviews contact:
Donna Mulhearn on 0422 749319, Jessica Morrison 0422202880

by D PG4 Thu Oct 05, 2006 10:23

“The Queen versus Donna Mulhearn…”
When I heard those words read out in the courtroom on Tuesday I smiled widely.
I had nothing against the Queen this day so the mention of Elizabeth II and the sight of solemn-faced people in long black gowns, dragging suitcases and files transported me swiftly from my everyday reality to the surreal-ness of Northern Territory Supreme Court, a place where you can tell if someone’s important if they’re wearing a little wig with waves and curls.

It’s hard to take someone seriously when they’re wearing half a wig but the wigged heads spent three hours fervently discussing the complexities of the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act and in doing so, our future as free people or not
.
At the start of proceedings I was asked to stand as my charges were read out to me followed by an invitation to plead guilty or not-guilty. Those moments were emotional ones for me as I declared “not guilty”, aware that the reasons behind stating those two words was a big story that came from a place far from here. A story about terror, blood and the grief of many. A story I hope to tell the court in due course.

Sitting in the front row, with a policeman at each end was Adele wearing a t-shirt saying “Expose Pine Gap”, Bryan, Jim and myself. Three of us pleaded not-guilty. But our chief troublemaker, Jim Dowling, with no shoes and a t-shirt depicting a dead Iraqi girl and the words “Liberated Iraq”, declared he did not recognise the right of the court to try him and said he neither pleaded guilty or not-guilty. He then proceeded to explain that his action is in accordance with the Nuremburg Principles in bringing the Government to account for war crimes.

An uncomfortable silence fell on the ‘wigged’ section of the room and the face of the judge’s associate turning white suggested she’d never faced such a situation before…the judge took it in her stride and continued.

Earlier in the day, a group of about 30 people had gathered in the heart of Alice Spring’s CBD, the Todd Street Mall. A stall, staffed by supporters who’d come from all over Australia had been there the last two days with banners and information about Pine Gap and the Citizens Inspection by Christians Against ALL Terrorism last December.
Half an hour before court started, we formed a procession and carrying banners and posters with messages such as “Put Pine Gap on Trial” walked in silence through the town towards the Court House.

We gathered outside at the foot of the courthouse steps, sung a few bars of “We shall overcome” and posed for media photos before Bryan addressed the crowd about the war in Iraq, the Government’s lies about it and the Governments lies about Pine Gap.

My co-defendant Adele, about to go in and face trial, wept. A local man gave us a blessing. Australian Federal Police agents took photos. Men in suits lurked with mobile phones. This was more than an average court-case.
Inside the wood-panelled courtroom was a packed public gallery, made up of supporters both local and interstate, various police, media, and Jim’s kids (he has seven!).

Directly behind us was Ken, the head of security at Pine Gap who once said we were the best protesters he’d ever met. The morning we were arrested he wasn’t so sure. Now I don’t know what he thinks. He, and our friends from the Australian Federal Police, will travel this journey with us.

The defence (that’s us) started with its submission. Our legal team is made up of retired Federal Court judge Ron Merkel Q.C, Melbourne-based barrister Rowena Orr and Legal aid solicitor and barrister Russell Goldflam. With Ron Merkel overseas at this time, Rowena appeared by video link from Melbourne.

Her comprehensive and lengthy (well over an hour) submission about the failings of the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act was just brilliant in its content and feisty in delivery.

I was dazzled by her performance and her exploration of concepts such as ‘special defence undertakings” “declarations’ “gazettals’ and “prohibited areas” in her bid to force the prosecution to prove that Pine Gap was necessary for the defence of Australia, which is required by the act.

If they could not prove this, we would be acquitted.

She told the court she believed the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act limits the fundamental right of freedom of movement of its citizens and therefore must be very stringent in its application.

In contrast the Prosecution’s grey-wigged barrister Mr Dunbar “umm-ed and aah-ed” through a submission with basic remarks such as:
“They simply chose to snub their noses at the law in an act of err, civil disobedience ….whatever that means…..”
“This is the sort of mischief that the act seeks to uncover,” he continued.
“To allow that mischief would not see justice done.”

Responding to the point our defence made about the harshness of the Defence Special Undertakings act he responded with: “the hardship the defendents will suffer is self-inflicted.”

Our barrister knocked his arguments firmly on the head and overall it was agreed that we won the day.
But the judge seemed less convinced and it’s her call. She has reserved her decision until next Thursday or a later date.

In the meantime we have another appearance in court tomorrow (Thursday Oct 5th) in relation to our application for the discovery of certain documents and discussion about a secret suppression order that has been placed on us. I can’t tell you about this top-secret order but don’t be offended, I can’t even tell my mum!

We have a great band of supporters here with us and, although it is hectic and at times stressful, we have a deep sense of purpose and the feeling is great.

More news soon,
your pilgrim,
Donna
PS: Thanks for all your support and good wishes - much appreciated!

PPS: This is a link to an ABC online story http://abc.net. au/news/australi a/nt/alice/ 200610/s1754879. htm

PPPS: I will past our media release below, please use it to distribute to any media contacts you have or use it as a base for letters to the editor.

PPPPS: “In an age of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.” George Orwell

CHRISTIAN PACIFISTS CHALLENGE PINE GAP IN SUPREME COURT
October 4, 2006

The trial of four Christian pacifists in the Northern Territory Supreme Court yesterday challenged the Governments attempts to silence public criticism of US military bases in Australia.

In a legal first, the four defendents, Jim Dowling, Bryan Law, Adele Goldie and Donna Mulhearn are charged under the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952 which carries a maximum of seven years in prison for trespass.

The group conducted a “Citizen’s Inspection” of Pine Gap military base last year, managing to breach the security of the top-secret facility, scale a building, unfurl banners and take photographs.

The defence Barrister, Rowena Orr, told the court she believed the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act limits the fundamental right of freedom of movement of its citizens and therefore must be very stringent in its application.
Ms Orr said the act requires the government to prove that Pine Gap defends Australia’s interests against external aggression and if it cannot do so, the defendents should be acquitted.

The Judge reserved her decision and set a further date for mention on Thursday 12th October. The defendants return to court this Thursday, October 5 to fight a secret suppression order placed on them, as well as a discovery order to gain information from the Crown that they are not providing.

Donna Mulhearn, one of the accused, said the charges are clearly political and reflect the Government’s persecution of citizens who challenge their agenda of war.

“This case shows that the level of control they are seeking is excessive, and we must curb the actions of Governments in attempting to control,” she said.

“We put an alternative view to the Australian people- super secret American spy bases do NOT hold the key to Australia’s security.

“Our security lies in building better relationships.”
Supporters of the group from around the country are gathering in Alice Springs this week for a national peace convergence aimed at drawing attention to Pine Gap and its role in the war in Iraq. A forum will be held on Friday night with international activist, Ciaron O’Reilly, recently acquitted for causing over $2million damage to a US military plane at Shannon airport in Ireland.

There is also protest action planned at the Pine Gap facility on Saturday at 2pm.
For further information and interviews contact:
Donna Mulhearn on 0422 749319, Jessica Morrison 0422202880

by Photo Update Fri Oct 06, 2006 04:49

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/10/124952.php

by Ciaron - Dublin Catholic Worker Fri Oct 06, 2006 07:53 send us a text- 0061 432 023 188

Well folks,

I landed here yesterday after a 3 hour flight across the dry, red landscape from Sydney. This is one big country and after being based in Europe for the last ten years it's an amazing sense of space. I got off in Alice to find two Federal Police wating for me, following me to collect my bags and radioing in my arrival Concerns expressed a couple of weeks ago that I was going to hit the runway running and engage the U.S. Starlifter, due to touchdown that day to resupply the NSA Pine Gap base, turned out to be groundless.

Hooked up with the defendants & support in "downtown" Alice. This is one tough gig in terms of trial organising. The defendants are quite geographically spread out. Brian Law, wife Margaret and child lives in Cairns, north Queensland, Jim Dowling, wife Anne & 7 kidz on a Catholic Worker farm 1200 miles south in Dayboro, Adele Goldie in nearby Brisbane and Donna Mulhearn 600 miles south again in Sydney.

Alice Springs, site of the trial is a 3,000 km drive from Brisbane, Pine Gap NSA warfighting base is located 30 kms. from Alice. Still, support on the ground in Alice at present includes two country cousins from a Catholic Worker farm in the north tip of Aotearoa (New Zealand), a couple of activists from Adelaide (including a woman who was with Donna as a human shield in Iraq in '03), a few guys from Sydney, a woman from Kinka Beach near Shoalwater Bay military training base (central Queensland), jessica one of the Pine Gap 6 from Melbourne. So massive distances to offer solidarity. the vibe among the solidarity community is good. There are whole little of Catholic folks in town (rad nuns etc0 who have spent their lives working in solidarity with aboriginal people and about 6,000 aboriginal people living in Alice (22,000 pop)

The Uniting Church has given us a day base in the central mall, where we have set up an info stall, tea, coffee, shade. 15 of us are camped outside of town. And I (with 12 other folks, lots of kidz) had my first ride in the CW vehicle fuelled by recycled fish and chip oil into town this morning. Gotta go and plan our presence at Pine Gap tomorrow afternoon....coming ready or not! Doing a public meeting tonight.
Hey Ho Hope all is well,
Looks like a bad scene in Mayo.
One Love
Ciaron

by 5 Arrested PG Sun Oct 08, 2006 05:03 Outback Downunder Pine Gap NSA base, near Alice Springs

Approx 60 folks attended a public meeting in Alice Springs Friday night. Speakers were Donna Mulhearn, a former human shield in Iraq, hostage in Fallujah and presently one of the Pine Gap defendants awaiting trial in Alice Springs.

On Saturday afternoon, over 50 people assembled at the gates of the secretive base. some cycled, some arrived in vans. Four hours of paeacm,aking activity included the errection of a cross, remembering the dead, street theatre, a children's procession to the gates of the base and attempt at another citizen's inspection. Miocgael Frente and david Rovics music booming over amps provided much of the musical accompaniment. Activity climaxed as 40 folks took the roas and usuing wall and streamers weaved themselves into a colourful web of life while blocakding access to the base.

After 40 miinutes, the senior officer made his move and gave people are final warning to clear the area. Five who had chiosen this time of a resistance to the war and were arrested. More reporting and photos at link below

http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/10/126149.php

A solidarity vigil outside the downtown watchhouse welcomed the five as they were released later that evening.

30 locals,visitors, nuns and catholic laity retruned to the base gates to celebrate mass this morning.

by CW's Arrested Mon Oct 09, 2006 07:49

http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2006/09/29/news...d.txt

by Bristol B52 Trial Update Tue Oct 10, 2006 08:18

http://www.b52two.blogspot.com/

by Ciaron Tue Oct 10, 2006 09:25

Peter DeMott (Vietnam Veteran/Catholic Worker/Plowshares activist/father/husband) speaks on his release from 8 months of incarceration for the St. Patrick's Fouor nonviolent occupation of their local (Ithaca, NY, USA) Military Recruitment Centre.

The initial trial of Peter, Danny, Teresa and Clare of the St. Patricks Foour ended in a hung jury. On the eve of Peter, Tersea, Clare and 8 other family members leaving NY/USA to attend the first Dublin March '05 trial of the Pit Stop Ploughshares, all defendants houses were visited by the FBI who hit them with felkony charges for the initial occupation.

On return from the Dublin trial, prosecution argued for the travel of defendants to be restricted as "they had just been in Ireland involved in ongoing criminal activity", merely be attending the Pit Stop Ploughshares trial (who we later discover were not involved in any criminal activity at all, being acquiited in July '06!)

Link has audio and visual of Peter's release....
www.stpatricksfour.org

by Body Count Update Wed Oct 11, 2006 08:42

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061011/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq..._toll

by PG4 Thu Oct 12, 2006 21:53

The veil of secrecy that’s covered Pine Gap spy base the last 40 years was further tightened Thursday in a ruling of the Northern Territory Supreme Court that protects the Government from having to disclose the base’s activities.

The barrister for four peace activists charged with entering Pine Gap argued last week that the Government should have to prove that the base is necessary for the defence of Australia , and therefore a prohibited area, before the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952 can be used.

But in handing down her decision Justice Thomas said it is enough for the minister to simply say the base is necessary for the defence of Australia without having to actually prove why it is.

In a legal first, the four defendents, Jim Dowling, Bryan Law, Adele Goldie and Donna Mulhearn are charged under the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952 which carries a maximum of seven years in prison for trespass. It is a decision of the Attorney General of the day to prosecute under the act.

The group conducted a “Citizen’s Inspection” of Pine Gap military base last year, managing to breach the security of the top-secret facility, scale a building, unfurl banners and take photographs.

One of the defendants, Donna Mulhearn, said the decision is a disturbing indication of the lack of separation of powers in Australia .

“It is the right of the community to place Pine Gap and its activities under scrutiny,” she said.

“This cold-war era act is specifically designed to deter any criticism or public examination of Pine Gap and other US defence installations.

“It was a decision of the current Government to use this act in order to protect itself from accountability.

“All Australians should be concerned that our right to know what goes on for the ‘defence’ of Australia is being withheld from them.”

In continuing pre-trial argument the case will be heard for mention on November 8 when the defence will indicate if it has further challenges to the use of the act. A date for trial is yet to be set.

ABC REPORT:
Judge backs Govt over Pine Gap break-in
A judge in Alice Springs has ruled the Federal Government does not need to prove that an area is necessary for Australia 's defence, in order to declare it a prohibited area.
The lawyer for four people charged with breaking into Pine Gap, outside of Alice Springs , had earlier argued her clients should be acquitted of charges of entering a prohibited area.
She said the law required the prosecution to prove Pine Gap is a prohibited area that is necessary for the defence of Australia .
Justice Sally Thomas today ruled in favour of the prosecution.
She said a minister is able to declare an area as a prohibited one if it is considered necessary.

http://www.abc. net.au/news/ newsitems/ 200610/s1763691. htm