Newswire

*For photos and personal statements of the 7 activists go to this link
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/93188

*ABC Report
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/17/2628539.htm?site=news

*Call Talisman Sabre Hotline and demand the end of the exercise
1800 639 724

*Further background on nonviolent resistance to Talisman Sabre 09
http://talismansabre.wordpress.com/

*Further suggestions for solidarity with the 7 activists see the end of this email

MEDIA RELEASE:

7 More Activists Inside

Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area:

Call for End to War on Afghanistan

In 1994, Labor M.P. John Newman was gunned down in his driveway. It was Australia's first political assassination. Newman had made many enemies with his blunt style.

Fourteen years on, no-one has ever been convicted of pulling the trigger. But Phuong Ngo, a local councillor who lived in Cabramatta, was convicted as the 'mastermind' and has spent ten years behind bars.

Press Release
14 July 2009

Activists refuse bail following their arrest at the Shoalwater military base

The Christian activists who spent over 30 hours on the Shoalwater Training Area during the Talisman Saber live firing exercise will spend a night in the Rockhampton watchhouse.

The four activists, Margaret Pestorius, Jarrod McKenna, Jessica Morrison and Rev. Simon Moyle were arrested this afternoon at the Shoalwater military base and have been charged with Trespass. Ms Morrison and Rev. Moyle were also charged with obstruction.

Press Release
Tuesday 14 July 2009

Christian Activists found on Shoalwater Training Area

Margaret Pestorius, Jarrod McKenna, Jessica Morrison and Rev. Simon Moyle have been found this afternoon on the Shoalwater Bay military training area after entering the base yesterday. The four are expected to be handed over to the Queensland Police and taken to Rockhampton Police Station.

For more information contact Treena Lenthall 0447 851 858
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Press Release
Monday 13 July 2009

The trial of two Sydney activists began in the Melbourne County Court today. Tim and Sunil are facing two counts each of aggravated burglary, which can carry a 25-year jail term, for allegedly walking into offices on ‘Corporate Engagement Day’ two and a half years ago with nothing more than glitter and water pistols. They each also face two counts of criminal damage and and unlawful assembly for the same incidents, which were part of protests against the G20 meeting in Melbourne in November 2006. They are fighting extremely serious charges for what was a benign and fairly standard action.

Frank Vavasour, a member of the Catholic organisation Pax Christi in Sydney, was arrested today when he attempted to scale the fence of the Rockhampton military barracks.

Mr Vavasour was part of a protest outside the military barracks where 50 people gathered to express their opposition to the military exercise Operation Talisman Saber.

Interview with Zoya, a freedom fighter of the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA)

HUMAN RIGHTS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN PALESTINE

The International Women’s Peace Service in Palestine (IWPS-Palestine) is a team of women human rights workers, who provide international accompaniment to Palestinian civilians, document and non-violently intervene in human rights abuses and support acts of non-violent resistance to end the illegal Israeli occupation and building of the apartheid wall.

Great grandmother, June Norman, 68, from Brisbane was arrested this morning protesting joint US Australian military exercises at Shoalwater Bay near Rockhampton.

Protesters gathered at a police road block where they performed the Hokey Pokey calling on the Australian military to ‘put their whole bodies out’ of the military base.

Police told the protestors they could not proceed further towards the military gates behind which 15,000 American servicemen are about to start live firing military exercises with the Australian Defence Forces.