Peace Activist Jo Vallentine arrested in Fremantle protest against US Military

Peace activist arrested, ordered to stay away from US sailors after peaceful banner waving protest
> 4th July 2009, 15:30 WST
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> Veteran peace activist Jo Vallentine has been arrested for a breach of the peace following her participation in an anti-nuclear and peace rally on the Fremantle wharf this morning.
> Ms Vallentine, 63, was arrested after being given a move on order by WA police during a peaceful protest near the E-Shed market car park.
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> A former Greens senator, Ms Vallentine has spent her life campaigning for social justice, peace and environmental issues. She has been involved in peace and anti-nuclear protests around the world.
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> She was arrested and taken to the Fremantle police lock-up just after 12 noon and later released on condition she refrain from visiting Fremantle wharf or speaking to any US navy personnel for the next seven days.
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> "I don't know how I'm going to avoid them (the US sailors) as Fremantle is crawling with them, there are 5,300 of them and my chances of running into one are fairly high," Mr Vallentine said.
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> If convicted Ms Vallentine faces a fine of up to $12,000 and/or 12 months jail for refusing the move on order.
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> She said it was ironic that on American Independence Day she had been gagged from speaking to Americans who were in her home town.
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> "It is funny that me speaking to US navy personnel is seen as a threat when there is a warship sitting off our coast that can blow whole cities to pieces. I was just speaking to people," Ms Vallentine said.
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> Ms Vallentine told thewest.com.au she was concerned at the presence of US warships in the port of Fremantle and the refusal by the US to either confirm or deny the presence of nuclear weapons aboard the visiting vessels.
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> She was part of a group of around 50 taking part in a protest this morning.
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> The group included Quakers, peace activists and conservationists. Ms Vallentine was the only person arrested at the protest.
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> The protesters led by the Fremantle Anti-Nuclear Group, FANG, used the July 4 American Independence Day to call for "Australian independence from the United States."
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> Nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington and guided missile cruiser USS Cowpens docked off Fremantle on Thursday.
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> Ms Vallentine said her group demanded clarification from the US about whether or not the warships were carrying nuclear weapons.
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> "They still will neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons on board but the USS George Washington is a huge battleship and we can't really imagine that a ship its size it would leave home without carrying its nuclear arsenal. We assume it is a given that there are nuclear weapons onboard," Ms Vallentine said.
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> A heavy police presence at the site kept the protesters in check and Ms Vallentine said she had been advised "not to interfere with the visiting sailors comfort" by speaking to them about peace and nuclear issues.
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> "We would like to welcome the sailors to Fremantle but we can't when they come as part of the American military machine. They are welcome here as civilians but not as part of the military."
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> Ms Vallentine said the US warships were in Australia as part of Talisman Sabre, a massive military exercise involving 30,000 American troops and 8,000 Australian military personnel.
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> Most of the exercises will take place in Queensland.
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> Ms Vallentine said the military exercises presented an "unacceptable risk" to the environment and to Australia's sovereignty.
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> "We don't know for sure but we think they will be doing exercises in Lancelin (north of Perth) next week. We will be watching very closely," Ms Vallentine said.
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> FANG spokesperson Kerry-Ann Garlick said the presence of the US warships in Fremantle was a violation of the city's Nuclear Free Zone status.
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> "We have huge health concerns about a nuclear powered warship sitting off our coast," Ms Garlick said.
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> "If anything happens we will be the ones left with a toxic legacy to clean up while the ship will just sail away."
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> Meanwhile Perth brothels have been flying in reinforcements to cope with the increase in business brought by the more than 5400 sailors from the two visiting warships.
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> Business groups estimate the sailors' arrival will boost the local economy by $5 million over the ships' five-day stay.
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> The owner of Perth brothel Langtrees, Beverly Clarke, said she had put on five extra staff for the weekend, including two from the Eastern States.
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> "Mandy" from City West Massage also said they were preparing for a bumper weekend.
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> "Normally when the US sailors come in we definitely do have a surge in business and we expect that over the weekend," she said.
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> Ms Vallentine is due to appear in the Fremantle Magistrates Court on July 10.
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> PERTH
> JANE HAMMOND with AAP