Magic Irish Plowshares Hammer Deployed to OZ to Confront U.S. Talisman Sabre

by treena Wed Jun 08, 2005 09:27

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by Ciaron - Pit Stop Ploughshares/Dublin Catholic Worker Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:23 On the way to Shoal Water Bay, Tropic of Capricorn runs pretty much through it! 00 61 432 023 188 (mobile..try a text!)

WHEREVER YOU GO, THERE YOU ARE!

..& there’s a good chance you’ll find the U.S. military waiting for you!

from Ciaron in Brisbane, Australia (Briz, OZ)

Whie awaiting the Pit Stop Ploughshares rematch at Dublin 4 Courts on Oct 24th.
the Irish state deigned to allow me to visit home for a month while on bail. So I landed back in Briz just over a week ago. I had a great welcome home party hosted by Maggie. A wonderful collection of rellies, old flames, new friends and folks who had been through S11/WEF2000, '98 Jabiluka uranium mine blockade, Briz nuke warship blockades of the '80's, '84 Roxby uranium mine blockade, many a military base break-in and free speech/right to march struggles in the '70's under State Premier Joh bjelke Petersen, assembled on her back verandah.

Gathered on the back verandah many of our friendships had been formed in the back of police vans, standing alongside each other in courts and in various incarnations of the Brisbane watch house. A subterranean prophetic line that counters the sedated, silenced, housebroken expectations of what it meant to be a Queenslander under Joh et al. When a possum crash landed in our midst, I knew I was home.

Joh had recently been granted a state funeral by the Queensland. Labor Govt. The contrast with the treatment of all the dissidents exiled, unionists blacklisted, indigenous dispossessed under his rule has been a shame. My expectations of the Labor Party in power on the question of ethical behavior and democratic commitment was best summed up by some anarcho graffiti on the Ekka entrance as we filed in behind the bureaucrats one fine May Day: “Labor Party- Same shit, Different flies!” Reality truly coming home to roost for me, when the Qld. Labor Govt. sent all my Joh/civil liberties convictions to the F.B.I. hoping I would receive more jail time at sentencing in New York in ’91 (B-52 Bomber disarmament). The A.L.P. had posed to be against civil liberties denial while in opposition in the ‘70’s, promised to erase such convictions on gaining power in the ‘80’s and of course failed to deliver on such promises. Instead they delivered my file to the F.B.I.! At the time, ALP Justice Minister McEnroth (now deputy Premier) was challenged on this behaviour, his response was “Justice has to be done!” Go figure?

Well old habits die hard and five folks go to Briz Magistrate Court this week as young gun cops busted up an anti-war demo in March using the latest version of the ‘70’s catch-all chestnut “disobeying a (l)awful direction”. Whether the flipside of the Joh arrangement of turning a blind eye to police corruption in Queensland continues post-Fitzgerald is anyone’s guess!

A day after arriving back in Briz, I got flown 1200 miles south to Melbourne to address students at the Ladies Methodist College. I also spoke against the war on Iraq at Trades Hall, a couple of churches, did a ABC interview with Jack Thompson and bumped into Tony Biggs (ex-4ZZZ/"Black Assassins") at 3RRR. Tony recommended the books “Pig City” & “Last Drinks” to take back to Ireland as a means of reflecting on Queensland. Jack Thompson was gracious, engaging and anti-war. He recalled his time at U of Q in the ‘60’s, when his student house on Coronation Drive was raided on suspicion of hosting an “illegal printing press”! Jack is presently appearing in a fine film with Sean Penn “The Assassination of Richard Nixon”. Met up withcomedians Mary Kennealy & Rod Quantock who have offered solidarity over the years in my latest tangles with the war making state. Rod gigs at The Zoo in Brisbane in June in solidarity with Baxter detainees.

Arriving back in Briz, I gave faith-based anti-war raps to 600 students at four Catholic schools and did a Dublin trial video night at West End's Ahimsa House, looks like a great venue for grassroots activism for years to come. I had a great night at Goodna Parish, sharing anti-war stories and concerns about the forthcoming “Operation Talisman Sabre” military exercises bringing 11,000 U.S. soldiers to Queensland (www.geocities.com/peaceconvergence). It was a wonderful crew of older, working class folks struggling to put their faith into acts for peace and justice. “Goodna” was such a loaded word when I was a kid in the ‘60’s, so much so it was often employed as a playground insult (eg. "Why don’t you piss off to Goodna, ya cretin!”). It reminds me of Nathanael’s cynical response to news of Jesus in John Ch.1, “Can anything good come from Nazereth?” These folks have a simple authentic faith they are not scarred by the sophisticated defenses of the middle-classes, they have not folded to cynicism. After a night of reflection on the ongoing war on Iraq and the impending “Operation Talisman Sabre” – some of them are going to head to Amberley Air Force Base on Saturday June 11th. 10am to express their faith based opposition. (Ph. Jimmy 041 489 8380). The deputy mayor of Ipswich attended the talk, so as Tony Kniepff (writer of the local hit punk single “Pig City”) once pointed out to me “It’s important not to define anyone out of existence!” There’s a lot of Nazereth coming out of Goodna and even good folks in the Labor Party struggling to kick over the traces!

On Friday June 10th., we will be taking a bus 400 miles north to Shoalwater Bay to oppose these war preparations. Yep like Elwood Blues, “…We’re putting the band back together again!” On board the Operation Talisman Sabre express already are both my brothers Sean & Brendan, Rick & Rod from S11, Treena & Robin from Jabiluka, Jim and Bryan from nuke warship blockades and a bunch of new folks with new energy. Should be good!

If you can't make it to Amberley or Shoal Water on Saturday consider sending a solidarity message from where ever you are....

In Australia text 0432 023 188

Outside Australia text 00 61 432 023 188

Email [email protected]

Ciaron O’Reilly

www.peaceontrial.com

by ciaron dumbass Wed Jun 08, 2005 14:04

ok so i admire yer protest but what the hell did ya think would happen to you after causing 2 million dollar damage to an army plane? dumb ass, now yer time will be in jail or working off alot of money owed to repairing what you damaged! wow, that really stopped the war.

by Martin - London Catholic Worker Wed Jun 08, 2005 14:06 London, England

REMEMBER THE INNOCENT

Four Catholics were on trial yesterday, June 6th, at Bow Street Magistrates Court, London. They were convicted of 'Criminal Damage', for their actions on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, 28th December 2004, when they had begun to convert the front lawn of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) building on Whitehall into a war cemetery in memory of the dead of the invasion and continuing occupation of Iraq. The four were Liz Yates, Scott Albrecht, Chris Cole and Fr Martin Newell cp.

Mr Cole and Fr Newell were ordered to pay compensation of £416 each. Mr Albrecht and Miss Yates were ordered to pay £80 compensation. They were also given Court costs of £200 each and conditionally discharged for two years. The Magistrate, in her judgement, recognised the actions of the defendants as an act of witness, and the integrity and dignity of the defendants in presenting their case.

Scott Albrecht and Liz Yates had been digging graves, with a child's coffin ready to be placed in one. Chris Cole and Fr Martin Newell had begun to inscribe a wall as a memorial with the words "Remember Iraqi War Dead", "Slaughter of the Innocent" and "Stop the War" in red paint. "Father Forgive Us" was also written on the ground. Prayers of repentance and remembrance were said.

Scott Albrecht said in Court "We acted to uphold human law and the law of God. The human law is the United Nations Charter. The law of God is "love your enemies."
In his statement, Chris Cole said " I acted to try to bring home the truth that war and violence are sinful and inevitably leads to the massacre of innocents. The prophet Jeremiah castigated hypocritical leaders: “They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, "Peace, peace," when there is no peace. They acted shamefully, they committed abomination; yet they were not ashamed, they did not know how to blush.” (Jer 6:14-15)
Fr Newell said, "I believed that the best way I could try to prevent the high crimes of our government and country in Iraq, was to disturb the consciences of the military and political decision makers in the MoD and Whitehall: to remind them of the death and destruction, the grief and the blood that is still beig shed in Iraq."
Under cross examination, Liz Yates said, "It is important to act as well as communicate a message. Action without communication is cynical. Communication without action is sentimental."

Scott Albrecht, former US Air Force, lives in St Albans. He is 41 years old and married with four children.
Liz Yates lives in Kent.
Chris Cole (BAe Ploughshares) lives in Northamptonshire and is married with three children.
Fr Martin Newell (Jubilee Ploughshraes 2000) lives in Hackney. He is a Catholic Priest and member of the Passionist Order.

by Ciaron - DCW/PSP5 Thu Jun 09, 2005 00:31 Over here!

Hey Man, Not drowning, waving...not whinging, celebrating... We had an away draw in March, with a replay in October and you've got us out of the cup and in jail already!

As someone who owes British Aerospace $200,000, the U.S Air Force $15,000 from the first Gulf Massacre and Jabiluka Uranium Mine $8,000...can assure you when the hat is passed to reassemble death machinery. I'll pass.

You seem to be projecting your colonised housebroken cynicism and negativity on the above text. Try reading it again, real slow or make a date with me for Speakers Corner , back in July. You need help and it's not far away. Hang in there.

We remain undefeated, because we go on. I'm at my folks and military choppers are flying over the house. Great soundtrack to respond to you. There's a war on dude!

by Busted Thu Jun 09, 2005 10:42

3 U.S. sailors here for Operation Talisman Sabre off the USS Boxer just busted in Townsville delivering 11 kilos of amphetimines.

Has anyone got other recent links to U.S. military moving drugs? There were two recent cases coming out of Colombia where ther waging a war on you guessed it drugs!

by treena Sun Jun 12, 2005 05:43

Six peace activists were arrested this morning (12 June 2005) on Shoalwater Bay Joint Military Training Facility. The six were undertaking a memorial service for those killed in the invasion and occupation of Iraq. The Shoalwater facility is presently hosting 11,000 and 6,000 Australian troops in “Operation Talisman Sabre”, the largest joint military exercise with US forces in Australian history.

Organic farmer Rod Castle, university lecturer Jessica Morrison, waiter Adelle Goldie, returned East Timor aid worker June Norman, father of two Rick Pass and natural therapist Wayne Reid were taken to Rockhampton Watchhouse to face charges. Military police removed replica coffins, painted with names of the American and Iraqi war dead, from the base.

Jessica Morrison stated, “With my faith and conscience, I can’t sit by while the US and Australian military forces kill people in Iraq. Since the US invasion of Iraq, involving Australian troops, over 1000,000 Iraqis mostly women and children have been killed. Over 1,650 US troops have been killed and 11,000 evacuated with serious injuries.

We bring these coffins to Shoalwater as symbolic of the human consequences of these military exercises. We solemnly remember the war dead and nonviolentlly resist on behalf of those living under US occupation of Iraq”

Queensland Police interupt memorial service

O'Reilly Boys do Solidarity

Remembering the Dead on the road to Talisman Sabre

by Paul Tue Jun 14, 2005 02:42 Melbourne

Six arrested in Shoalwater blockade
http://au.news.yahoo.com/050607/2/um8o.html

Six protesters carrying makeshift coffins have been arrested while
conducting a memorial service at a major military training exercise in
central Queensland.

A police spokeswoman said the group had been charged with trespassing
on Commonwealth land while attempting to blockade the entrance to the
Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area in Rockhampton, where the
Talisman Sabre military exercise between Australia and the United
States starts on Sunday.

"They allegedly scaled the fence at the base with makeshift coffins and
were asked a number of times, both by defence personnel and police
personnel, to leave the property. They refused to leave and were
subsequently arrested and charged with trespassing," she said.

The group - three males and three females aged between 28 and 50 - were
bailed to appear before Rockhampton Magistrates Court on June 27.

Protester Ciaron O'Reilly said the group had carried out a memorial
service for those killed in the Iraq war.

"They brought with them 10 replica coffins with names of Iraqi and US
military dead, so they conducted a memorial service while blocking the
road and about 10 others were there in support," he said.

Mr O'Reilly said 40 more protesters showed up after the arrests to
continue the blockade, where he said they had successfully stopped
tanks, troops and other heavy ordnance from entering the base.

He said the arrests had only strengthened the resolve of the
protesters.

The police spokeswoman said police would remain on site but the protest
was "still peaceful".

Mr O'Reilly said the "peace convergence" would eventually move to
Yeppoon to protest "the potential use of depleted uranium" at the
Shoalwater Bay facility.

Talisman Sabre 2005 is a joint training exercise involving 6,000
Australian and 11,000 US personnel.

The exercise will finish on June 30.

--------------------------------------

Sunday June 12, 12:08 PM

Protesters attempt to halt joint military exercise
http://au.news.yahoo.com/050612/21/uoec.html

Police have arrested six protesters from a group trying to stop
Australian and American troops from taking part in a major military
training exercise in central Queensland.

About 17,000 military personnel from all sections of the two countries'
defence forces are gathered at the Shoalwater Bay training area, north
of Rockhampton.

Dozens of anti-war campaigners are forming a blockade at one of the
main entrances to Shoalwater Bay to try to prevent military vehicles
from entering the site.

Organiser Hanna Middleton says such exercises promote violence and
aggression as a solution to world problems.

"We believe that Talisman Sabre military exercises actually stop
Australian troops defending Australia and train for us to take American
orders in American pre-emptive strikes and coalition wars."

Police say the protesters have repeatedly refused requests to leave the
Commonwealth facility and six have been charged with trespassing.

Another protester, Ciaron O'Reilly, has defended their actions.

"They feel like it's time to move from protests to non-violent
resistance," she said.

"We feel we have to escalate the amount of resistance to Australia's
role in this war, and preparations for other wars.

"They decided to occupy and blockade that road."

The biannual exercise focuses on fictional scenarios and includes
parachute drops and air combat training.

The military has warned that while demonstrators have a democratic
right to protest, they should keep clear of Shoalwater Bay as live
ammunition is being used.

by interested expat Wed Jun 15, 2005 21:47

For the retrial in October, do you consent to appear before the same circuit court judge, Mr. Michael O’Donnell, who imploded the first trial by saying “I’m not going to allow this defense of lawful excuse to be used to hand over to individuals the prerogative of the Irish Government in engage in other people’s wars.”

In my opinion O’Donnell’s outrageous preemptive dismissal of your legal defense in favour of his own extremely anti-constitutional agenda – to concoct some sort of ‘Oirish Royal Prerogative’ by which the warmongers in Dail Eireann may wage “other people’s wars” abroad – is a dangerous precedent very clearly exposed by his own words, although these words remain curiously unreported by irish newspapers.

Anyhow, his insane proposition must be allowed no toehold in irish law, but vigorously stomped out upon first rearing its ugly head, i.e. in this very case.

Given the weight judges have in court and the ruthless way this one has shown he is prepared to throw it about, it seems certain that for you the chance of a fair trial before this highly politicized player is about nil, or perhaps a little less.

You know how they say prevention is always better than cure, so make double sure to get a new and at least potentially impartial/untainted judge a.s.a.p., that is if you want in with any shout of a fair trial. Good luck.