Ciaron O'Reilly Pulled by Australian Security Intelligence Organisation on Arrival &other NVDA News

by Code Pink Sun Feb 05, 2006 19:56

By CINDY SHEEHAN

As most of you have probably heard, I was arrested before the State of
the Union Address tonight.

I am speechless with fury at what happened and with grief over what we
have lost in our country. There have been lies from the police and
distortions by the press. (Shocker)

So this is what really happened: This afternoon at the People's State
of the Union Address in DC where I was joined by Congresspersons Lynn
Woolsey and John Conyers, Ann Wright, Malik Rahim and John Cavanagh,
Lynn brought me a ticket to the State of the Union Address. At that
time, I was wearing the shirt that said: "2245 Dead. How many more?"

After the PSOTU press conference, I was having second thoughts about
going to the SOTU at the Capitol. I didn't feel comfortable going. I
knew George Bush would say things that would hurt me and anger me and
I knew that I couldn't disrupt the address because Lynn had given me
the ticket and I didn't want to be disruptive out of respect for her.
I, in fact, had given the ticket to John Bruhns who is in Iraq
Veterans Against the War. However, Lynn's office had already called
the media and everyone knew I was going to be there so I sucked it up
and went. I got the ticket back from John, and I met one of
Congresswoman Barbara Lee's staffers in the Longworth Congressional
Office building and we went to the Capitol via the undergroud tunnel.
I went through security once, then had to use the rest room and went
through security again.

My ticket was in the 5th gallery, front row, fourth seat in. The
person who in a few minutes was to arrest me, helped me to my seat. I
had just sat down and I was warm from climbing 3 flights of stairs
back up from the bathroom so I unzipped my jacket. I turned to the
right to take my left arm out, when the same officer saw my shirt and
yelled; "Protester." He then ran over to me, hauled me out of my seat
and roughly (with my hands behind my back) shoved me up the stairs.

I said something like "I'm going, do you have to be so rough?" By the
way, his name is Mike Weight.

The officer ran with me to the elevators yelling at everyone to move
out of the way. When we got to the elevators, he cuffed me and took me
outside to await a squad car. On the way out, someone behind me said,
"That's Cindy Sheehan."

At which point the officer who arrested me said: "Take these steps
slowly." I said, "You didn't care about being careful when you were
dragging me up the other steps."

He said, "That's because you were protesting."

Wow, I get hauled out of the People's House because I was, "Protesting."

I was never told that I couldn't wear that shirt into the Congress. I
was never asked to take it off or zip my jacket back up. If I had been
asked to do any of those things...I would have, and written about the
suppression of my freedom of speech later. I was immediately, and
roughly (I have the bruises and muscle spasms to prove it) hauled off
and arrested for "unlawful conduct."

After I had my personal items inventoried and my fingers printed, a
nice Sgt. came in and looked at my shirt and said, "2245, huh? I just
got back from there." I told him that my son died there.

That's when the enormity of my loss hit me. I have lost my son. I have
lost my First Amendment rights. I have lost the country that I love.
Where did America go? I started crying in pain.

What did Casey die for? What did the 2244 other brave young Americans
die for? What are tens of thousands of them over there in harm's way
for still? For this? I can't even wear a shirt that has the number of
troops on it that George Bush and his arrogant and ignorant policies
are responsible for killing.

I wore the shirt to make a statement. The press knew I was going to be
there and I thought every once in a while they would show me and I
would have the shirt on. I did not wear it to be disruptive, or I
would have unzipped my jacket during George's speech. If I had any
idea what happens to people who wear shirts that make the neocons
uncomfortable, that I would be arrested... maybe I would have, but I
didn't.

There have already been many wild stories out there.

I have some lawyers looking into filing a First Amendment lawsuit
against the government for what happened tonight. I will file it. It
is time to take our freedoms and our country back.

I don't want to live in a country that prohibits any person, whether
he/she has paid the ultimate price for that country, from wearing,
saying, writing, or telephoning any negative statements about the
government. That's why I am going to take my freedoms and liberties
back. That's why I am not going to let Bushco take anything else away
from me... or you.

I am so appreciative of the couple of hundred of protesters who came
to the jail while I was locked up to show their support.... we have so
much potential for good... there is so much good in so many people.
Four hours and two jails after I was arrested, I was let out. Again, I
am so upset and sore it is hard to think straight.

Keep up the struggle... I promise you I will too.

by SOAW - School of the Americas Watch Sun Feb 05, 2006 20:02

SOA Watch Activists on Trial, Sentenced to Prison

The week after a military jury in Colorado decided not to jail an Army interrogator even after they found him guilty of negligent homicide in the torture and killing of an Iraqi detainee, a federal judge in Columbus, Georgia is sentencing nonviolent activists to federal prison.

View a slideshow and hear audio of defendants before they entered court yesterday.

On Monday and Tuesday, 31 human rights activists were sentenced to between one and six months of incarceration during trials in Columbus, Georgia for 32 SOA Watch activists from around the country; one person was sentenced to probation. Arrested in November for nonviolent resistance actions against the School of the Americas, each person faced up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine for this act of nonviolent civil disobedience. Read Tuesday's press release for more information.

Tuesday, January 31, 4:45 pm: The final three defendants of the 32 on trial this week -- Minnesotan Steve Clemens and Californians Dorothy Parker and Cheryl Sommers -- were each sentenced; Steve and Cheryl to three months and a $500 fine, Dorothy to 60 days. Court has adjourned.

Tuesday, 2:30 pm: Sr. Mary Dennis Lentsch, Naed Smith and Fr. Jerry Zawada were all sentenced to six months in prison, no fine. Jerry has already served 69 days of this sentence in the Muscogee County Jail. He will self-report to a federal prison when notified.

Tuesday, 2:30 pm: Californian David Sylvester and North Carolinians Linda Mashburn and Gail Phares have been sentenced to three months in prison. David and Linda were each fined $500. Rita Hohenshell, 80, of Des Moines was sentenced to two months in prison.

Tuesday, 12:30 pm: Frank Woolever and Sarah Harper were each sentenced to three months in prison. Sarah was ordered to pay a $500 fine; Frank was not given a fine. Jamie Walters was sentenced to one year of probation -- the first non-prison sentence of this group -- and a $1,000 fine. Court has broken for lunch.

Tuesday, 11:00 am: Court resumed this morning at 9 am. By 11:00, Judge Faircloth had sentenced another activist, Ken Crowley, to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine. Ken was charged with "aiding and abetting" some people going under the fence in November. This is the first time an SOA Watch activist has been prosecuted for this type of charge. This morning the judge also reduced Fr. Louis Vitale's six-month sentence by 18 days.

Monday, 4:15 pm: Joanne Cowan of Boulder, Colorado has been sentenced to two months in prison, no fine. Scott Dempsky, Joe DeRaymond and Robin Lloyd have been sentenced to three months in prison and each has been ordered to pay a $500 fine. Court ended for the day.

Monday, 3:00 pm: Two more people have been sentenced to prison. Buddy Bell of Chicago, Illinois and Bob Call, 72, of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, were each sentenced to three months in prison. Buddy was also given a $500 fine.

Monday, 1:05 pm: Priscilla Treska, who remained in jail since November, has been released on "time served." Father Louis Vitale has been sentenced to six months. Priscilla and two others chose to remain in prison to await trial, rather than posting bond in November. Priscilla, a mother of 15 children, was just found guilty but released on "time served," after just over two months in the Muscogee County Jail. Fr. Louis Vitale has also been in the county jail since November. He was just sentenced to six months in prison (the time he has already served counts toward his sentence). Neither Priscilla nor Fr. Louis was fined.

Monday, 12:15 pm: Three more people have been sentenced to prison. Michael Gayman, a 26-year-old Seminarian, was senteced to two months in prison and a $500 fine. Jane Hosking, 37, and John LaForge, 41, both of Luck, Wisconsin, were senteced to six months in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Monday, 10:30 am: Six people who pled guilty have been sentenced to time in prison. Anika Cunningham, 26, was sentenced to one month in prison. Donte Smith, 19, and Fred Brancel, 79, were sentenced to three months in federal prison. Sam Foster, 70, Judy Ruland, 47, and Delmar Schwaller, 81, were sentenced to to two months. All except Delmar were given a $500 fine in addition to their sentence.

by Starstruck - Grassroots Dissent Mon Feb 06, 2006 00:05

Solidarity to Ciaron,Aussie airports can be a scary place these days,was detained myself at Cairns International last year for looking scruffy!

by Pat Murphy Mon Feb 06, 2006 01:34

and good wishes, Ciaron.

by Elaine Mon Feb 06, 2006 04:18

... didn't expect to see you behind bars so soon! Don't let the bastards grind you down.

Behind Bars?

by Ken Crowley - Witness for Peace Mon Feb 06, 2006 06:42 Washington DC, USA

Dear Friends,

Here’s the sentence: Six months in federal prison and a $1,000 fine for
holding up the fence (aiding and abetting in the legal jargon that
jails so many) that protesters crawled under at the School of the Americas, site
of the infamous U.S. Army torture training center.

Judge G. Mallon Faircloth declared that my nonviolent action was, in
his view, an “egregious” offence. I had testified truthfully that my act
was unplanned (although in truth not unwelcome), and that I had simply
tried to release the fence that had caught in the back of a friend.

The chief prosecutor, U.S. Army Captain Rebecca Connally, seated with
smirk in place, shook her head from side to side like an “all-knowing
parent,” ready and able to apply “parental guidance.”

An eerie sensation to offer an honest answer in court and be
disbelieved—our sisters and brothers in Latin America know the feeling all too well. My
co-defendants spelled it out clearly and they, too, were disbelieved.
Judge and prosecutors, in lock step, protected the fake republic from
nonviolent line-crossers, while in the public forum it is acceptable to debate the
use of torture as a “tactic” of U.S. war policy.

No matter, the inauthentic [wo]men, unable to think for themselves,
remain unapproachable. Indeed, they could not survive the truth. Outside the
courtroom, the “convicted” celebrated the joy that comes from resisting
untruth.

Deep gratitude for the enormous support from all corners.

Peace and love,
Ken

by redjade Mon Feb 06, 2006 13:39

Ciaron, Solidarity from the eastern front!

can we please NOT post stuff about Sheehan and SOA etc and just focus on Ciaron?

The people who know him are concerned and that stuff is directly relevant - and it can be posted elsewhere on this site.

by Michael R. Mon Feb 06, 2006 14:19

Solidarity Ciaron. Your presence in Ireland is missed.

by iosaf Mon Feb 06, 2006 14:21

"Enjoy your stay in Australia Ciaron".
It appears you have little friends. Till they confirm there not little friends, don't start thinking they're gremlins. You know the form - no direct sunlight, no water, no heavy music. Nice reply by the way.
regards.

by chinese whisper Mon Feb 06, 2006 21:44

the chinese auld fella really is one to watch with the gremlins, don't go talking to him. You're a guest of either Ireland or Australia not the whole happy population or even your relatives, but the states. You choose which. & generally if you talk to people like ASIO
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Security_Intell...ation you're not supposed to tell the world about it on open publishing afterwards.

Coz if you do, you're setting yourself up for a label in a few years-
"conduit", "agent provacateur", "spy", "dupe" being amongst them.
And you mightn't get a good holiday in Iran or China. And even if they are you're new little friends or helpers, as Bowie so rightly said-
"It's on Amerika's tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
An' now the workers have struck for fame
'Cos Lennon's on sale again
See the mice in their million hordes
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
To my Mother, my dog, and clowns
But the film is a saddening bore
'Cos I wrote it ten times or more
It's about to be writ again"
and he then reminded us to-
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show

So I'd be friendly and tell you don't go selling Lennon.
Stay away from the Lennon indeed.
and watch out for that Chinese gremlin dealer.
+ peace :-)

by Update Tue Feb 07, 2006 23:06

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Peace-activist-s....html

by Ciaron - Ploughshares Wed Feb 08, 2006 00:07

Hey Folks,

I'm doing ok down here...it's very hot and dry!

There has beena bit of mainstream media interest over the past 24 hours around my experience with ASIO last Friday night.

Seems to me to occur in two contexts.

One a general crackdown on anti-war activists continuing to organise and act up against this war. see last week's sentencing in New York of the St. Patrick Day's Four
www.stpatricksfour.org

The imprisonment of other friends who are nonviolently resisting the School of the Americas
check out their website www.soaw.org.
The continued prosecution of my brother Sean on a very dodgy basis and the four Pine Gap folks on very old draconian legislation.

The second context is an Australian one. ASIO's role in last year's detention and deportation of U.S. nonviolence trainer Scott Parkin as a "threat to national security". Check out the website dealing with this case.......
www.scottparkin.org

And ASIO's assessment role in the present detention of approx 20 Muslims in Australia under new civil liberties crunching/ anti-terror legislation without much evidence on offer.

It seems to me, that security is only ensured by a serious nonviolent pursuit of peace & justice. It also seems to me that insecurity is being generated by Australia's involvement in illegal invasions of other countries. And also that the general fear hype, intelligence groups & new legislation are going to be used as against nonviolent actvists who continue to seriously address Australian involvement in the war.

by Background Wed Feb 08, 2006 02:06

http://www.geocities.com/peaceconvergence/

by Background Wed Feb 08, 2006 02:12

http://melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2005/12/101603.php

by Update Wed Feb 08, 2006 02:25

See the reports:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&scoring=d&ie=UTF-8&q=...iaron+O%27Reilly&btnG=Search+News

by Michael Y - iawm Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:11

Just a few words of solidarity form all of us in the iawm.
Continue the good work and see you back soon.

by tp Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:47

nice one michael but have you run your message of soliday by the swp? Cos, if memory serves, your mate Dave has spent quite a bit of time slandering ciaron on indymedia, accusing him of all sorts down in Clare during the Bush visitation. ~Don't think Ciaron rates the iawm anyway - says you lot have damaged resistance to the war rather than helped it.

still, well done on the solidarity. At leastyou're making an effort to overcome the sectarianism of the swp.

by Michael Y - iawm Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:21

Thanks for the good words...Ciaron has done a lot for the peace and anti-war movement and deserves our support and solidarity - irrespective of what any party or any individual says. And, as you correctly say, some of us who're not in the swp are making an effort...good luck

by Paul Baynes Wed Feb 08, 2006 20:43

Hi Ciaron - don't let the bastards get you down...

Yeah, these supposed 'security issues' are not about security at all. As Chomsky said of the US recently in his Irish Times interview, it's not about security, it's about dominance. ["I don't think the US has a vision of security. It has a vision of dominance..."]
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/features/2006/0121/105....html

This discourse of security is being used to crack down on people like yourself, as well as Muslims and others. But it ain't about security really. You're no security threat - your actions enhance everybody's security!!

The invasion of Iraq was a huge contributory factor to radicalising Islamists, when the proper approach would be to try to engage with progressive elements. The Bush regime's actions are effectively sidelining any moderate tendencies within Islam. For example, look at Iran - of course they're getting nuclear weapons - look what happened in Iraq! If Iraq had nukes, the US might just have been a lot slower going in...

Both Osama bin Laden and GW Bush buy into the same vision of Islam v the West.

My thoughts:
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/73839

Best wishes Ciaron - thanks for all the energy you put in over here - hope you're well......

by Update Thu Feb 09, 2006 05:58

http://www.crikey.com.au/articles/2006/02/08-1535-5153.html

by dunk Fri Feb 10, 2006 18:56

The indymedia radio show of the 8th of feb 2006 from 3cr radio melbourne, australia.Stories include: what is hactivism? Marijuana laws and mental health funding; delegates blocked access to tasie prisons; trolling illegal in the US? PNG Report: corruption, the indo military, logging and more; genoa trial; insurgent wars; 74 dead in manilla; Wellington strikes; australian democracy for sale; CEO wages up, workers stagnate; ASIO questions Aus activist; and Peer to Peer. aprox 1 hour.
http://radio.indymedia.org/news/2006/02/8457.php
listen to file:
http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/melbindyradio_08_02_...6.mp3

by redjade Mon Feb 13, 2006 15:45

Another peace activist detained by ASIO

By Dale Mills

Ciaron O’Reilly, a Catholic peace activist, says he was treated in a heavy-handed way by two Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) officers when he was detained at Brisbane Airport on February 3.

O’Reilly, an Australian citizen, was detained for 30 minutes in a secure office at the airport after disembarking from his 30-hour flight from Dublin. He was returning from Ireland to visit his family.

O’Reilly reported to Project SafeCom ( http://www.safecom.org.au ) after the interview that ASIO had questioned him about his plans for the next three months and about the civil disobedience that occurred during the Shoalwater “Operation Talisman Sabre” joint US-Australia military exercises in 2005.

http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2006/656/656p5c.htm

by kitty kat Wed Mar 22, 2006 22:50 shortmangofiend at yahoo dot co dot uk

Thinking of you, hoping you're well. See you over there or over here. One way or t'other stay bien.

much love.
namaste`

by anon Mon Jun 26, 2006 03:50

http://www.boingboing.net/2006/06/23/clowns_sabotage_mi....html