peace activism

Rocky Tiger Ploughshares Media Statement 24 May 2012 Bryan Law, the peace activist who disabled an Australian Army Tiger helicopter with a blow from a garden mattock during the Talisman Sabre war games last June, will appear in Rockhampton Court at 9 am today.

Mr Law is defending himself. He expects the outcome of the appearance will be a "hand up committal" to stand trial in the District Court at some future date.on two Commonwealth charges: “willful damage” and “threatening an aircraft”.

Reprinted from Workers Bush Telegraph website

Protests in Australia occurred to mark ten years of Australia’s involvement in the brutal U.S. led occupation of Afghanistan which began on October 7th 2001. Despite overwhelming opposition to the war, the response of the Australian peace movement was small. The largest demonstration was in Sydney wherer the Sydney Stop The War Coalition and Stand Fast held a rally and march. See video. In Melbourne, a small protest occurred in the city square and a St Pauls Cathedral. Some direct action did occure when five Christian activists in Brisbane were arrested as part of group of 25 people protesting outside Enoggera army Base. Enoggera Army base is a major staging point for troops departing for the Afghan war.

The Byron Peace Party to mark International Day of Peace on Wed 21st September saw people gather at the Peace Pole for a picnic and peace pow wow. The theme of peace was highlighted by the Israeli and Palestinian flags flying side by side with the rainbow peace flags and a sign that read "Another World Is Possible".

The sunset Peace Concert - featuring Shai Shriki (Israel), Gulami Yesildal (Turkey) and Laura Targett (UK) - was another symbol of unity through music and culture.