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Australian Outback Support for the Raytheon 9

category derry | anti-war / imperialism | news report author Friday October 13, 2006 12:46author by Ciaron Report this post to the editors

Australian Outback Support for the Raytheon 9
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Ciaron O'Reilly (Pit Stop Ploughshares) and Jim Dowling (Pine Gap 4) express solidarity with Raytheon 9, awaiting trial in Derry, while blockading NSA warfighting Pine Gap Base in Australian outback. Blockade took place between court hearings for the Pine Gap defendants http://www.pinegap6.org 5 other activists were arrested during the blockade.

Raytheon has a monopoly on maintaining the Pine Gap base. The base provides targetting information for the Israeli bombing of Lebanon and continued U.S. bombing of Iraq.

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author by ciaronpublication date Fri Oct 13, 2006 12:47author address author phone Report this post to the editors

no ©

101_0234.jpg

author by rayopublication date Fri Oct 13, 2006 19:29author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Great to see some global solidarity for the Derry activists..... fair play C

Irish direct-action can have a powerful impact on the Irish diaspora, keep it up!

author by Paula Gpublication date Sat Oct 14, 2006 00:34author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Wow, it's cool to see the images of support.
Take care!

author by Ciaron - Dublin Catholic Workerpublication date Sat Oct 14, 2006 14:28author address author phone Report this post to the editors

In a week of pre-trial argument around the Pine Gap 4/ "Christians Against ALL Terrorism" case in Alice Springs, 60 anti-war activists returned on Oct 7th. to the gates of the secretive U.S. NSA Pine Gap warfighting base in the Australian outback.

Five arrests followed rituals of raising a cross, remembering the dead, street theatre, speeches, song, children's procession, attempted citizen's inspection, occupation of the access road by 40 folks to the sounds of Michael Frente & David Rovics anti-war CD's on the boom box and the weaving of a multicoloured woolen web of life that took in seated activists and (thanx to the kidz) the bull bar of cop car.
Photos of blockade and further reports on link below....

http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2006/10/126149.php

Court scenes are genearlly designed to intimidate activists and the movement, so what a joy it was to use this one as the basis of another return to Pine Gap in the spirit of nonviolence, solidarity & direct resistance to ongoing Australian involvement in the war. Targetting information provided by Pine Gap is the most significant Australian contribution to the U.S. war effort in Iraq. Australia also has troops deployed in Iraq & Afghanistan. Today, Prime Minister Howard announced that the Australian Navy was ready to deploy to enforce sanctions on North Korea if the U.S. requested it. The Australian Navy played a consistent role throughout the '90's enforcing the genocidal sanctions on Iraq that claimed the lives of over 1 million Iraqi children under the age of 5 (UNESCO).

On Oct 12th. the Judge ruled against Defense arguments that the Australian Govt. was obliged to provide evidence that Pine Gap has anything to do with the defense of Australia in relation to the four being charged under the Defense Undertakings Act (7 year max sentences) made at a pretrial hearing in Alice Springs the previous week.

A community of solidarity with the Pine Gap 4 grows in Alice Springs from further celebration, public witness and reflection over the past week. Activists from Adelaide, Darwin, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Aotearoa (New Zeland), Dublin and Woodstock Nation (yes Ed arrested at the gates was at THE gig back in '69!) travelled to support the activists in court this past week. The four remain in good spirits and steadfast in their resistance to Australian involvement in the war. Anne Rampa & Jim Dowling and 7 kidz are driving their recylcled fish and chip oil powered van back to the Dayboro Catholic Worker farm, Brian Law and Margaret and Joseph have returned to Cairns, Donna Mulhearn to Sydney and Adele Goldie is staying put in Alice until trial.

For report on Judge's rulings and other updates, check www.pinegap6.org

Related Link: http://www.pinegap6.org
author by Ciaronpublication date Sat Oct 14, 2006 15:21author address author phone Report this post to the editors

In the opening scenes of Martin Scorcese's recently released "The Departed", a black shamrock grafitti with the word "SHAME" is clearly seen on the side of a railway track. The film is set in Boston.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407887/

Related Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407887/
author by Robyn Wood - Tara Defenderspublication date Sat Oct 14, 2006 21:56author email peacefulwarriorprincess at yahoo dot com dot auauthor address until Oct 31 PO Box 231 Modbury North, South Australia 5092author phone +61 8 8395 3002Report this post to the editors

Dear All,

I am sad to report from my perspective that the silence about this issue and actions taken is deafening in the Australian media. There is no mention of it at all and the first I heard was from here on Indymedia.

I am involved in several grass roots activist groups in Adelaide and have not heard peep out of them.

The plot thickens.

Thank you Ireland for all your wonderful help and I shall do my best to get this issue on the mainstream Australian radar. Censorship is alive and well sadly. And they are trying to concentrate ownership of media in fewer and more fascist hands in my formerly fair country.

I will go now and contact and inform Peter Garret, current Federal Labor politician (our opposition, equivalent to FF) who is the former front man and legend of brilliant activist rock band Midnight Oil and one of my heroes and ask for his help.

Our current waste of space fascist Federal Foreign Minister said of Peter a while back "But I note that Peter Garrett has been one of the chief campaigners for the closure of Pine Gap and for the expulsion of the American military from Australian soil."

www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/08/1086460299118.html

Congratulations to Indymedia Ireland and all you peaceful protesters, keep up the good work!

Kind regards,

Robyn Wood

Here is some information on Peter and Midnight Oil and contact details should anyone wish to join me in asking him to use his networks to break the mainstream media silence.

www.petergarrett.com.au

Parliament of Australia: House of Representatives
Home page for Mr Peter Garrett MP
Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600.
www.aph.gov.au/P_Garrett_MP

Email: Peter.Garrett.MP@aph.gov.au

Peter Garrett, AM, MP

Labor Member for Kingsford Smith
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Reconciliation and the Arts

Peter was elected as the Labor Member for Kingsford Smith at the 2004 federal election.

He is a member of the following House of Representative committees:

Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

On 11 June 2004, Peter announced that he would nominate as the Labor candidate for the NSW federal electorate of Kingsford Smith. Shortly afterwards, the ALP National Executive approved his party membership and his candidature for the seat.

Peter is widely known as a passionate advocate and campaigner on a range of contemporary Australian and global issues. He was the former president Australian Conservation Foundation , an activist, and former member Australian band Midnight Oil .

He was vocalist, co-lyricist and dynamic frontman for Midnight Oil for 26 groundbreaking years. The band was known for protest and benefit shows, notably at Jabiluka in the Northern Territory's Kakadu National Park, Sao Paulo Brazil, Clayquot in Canada, the anti-Exxon performance on a truck-top in the streets of New York, and of course the 'sorry suits' performance at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games closing ceremony.

Of Midnight Oil's 16 albums, '10-1', 'Diesel and Dust', 'Blue Sky Mining' and 'Redneck Wonderland' were amongst the most provocative and successful, whilst songs like 'Beds are Burning', 'Power and the Passion' and 'US Forces' have become FM radio standards.

The Oils were renowned for their fierce independent stance and active support of a range of contemporary concerns including the plight of homeless youth, indigenous people's rights and protection of the environment.

Peter served two terms as president of the Australian Conservation Foundation. In his first term, from 1989 to 1993, significant results were achieved for many threatened areas of the Australian environment including Coronation Hill in Kakadu, Shoalwater Bay in Queensland, the Queensland Wet Tropics rainforest and Jervis Bay in NSW. In his second term, the ACF grew strongly, developed partnerships with non-government organisations, progressive business groups and companies, and expanded its campaigning into marine conservation and northern Australia.

He received the Australian Humanitarian Foundation Award ( environment category) in 2000, and in 2003 received the Order of Australia (Member General Division) for his contribution to environment and the music industry.

Peter is married and has three teenage children.

Related Link: http://www.myspace.com/moltengold
author by Robyn Wood - Tara Defender, NO-WAR South Australiapublication date Sat Oct 14, 2006 22:07author email peacefulwarriorprincess at yahoo dot com dot auauthor address PO Box 231 Modbury North South Australia 5092 until Oct 31author phone +61 8 8395 3002Report this post to the editors

"It's better to die on your feet than to live on your knees" - The Power And The Passion, 1982.

One of my all time favourite songs from brilliant band Midnight Oil - note the Pine Gap reference in the 7th stanza. Are they known in Ireland at all? Its an old song but a classic.

Drummer Rob Hirst says - I had this dream that this band could write an Australian music which people overseas could get onto and understand, which would enlarge their view of Australia beyond Vegemite sandwiches and kangaroo hops. - Rob Hirst

(as an aside, I have personal contact with Rob and have invited him and his current band to Ireland to perform in the Dublin Radio Tara Sunday night benefit gigs.)

Power and the Passion

People, wasting away in paradise
Going backward, once in a while
Moving ahead, falling behind
What do you believe, what do you believe
What do you believe is true
Nothing they say makes a difference this way
Nothing they say will do

Take all the trouble that you can afford
At least you wont have time to be bored

Oh the power and the passion, oh the temper of the time
Oh the power and the passion
Sometimes youve got to take the hardest line

Sunburnt faces around, with skin so brown
Smiling zinc cream and crowds, sundays the beach never a cloud
Breathing eucalypt, pushing panel vans
Stuff and munch junk food
Laughing at the truth, cos gough was tough til he hit the rough
Uncle sam and john were quite enough

Too much of sunshine too much of sky
Its enough to make you want to cry

Oh the power...

I see buildings, clothing the sky, in paradise
Sydney, nights are warm
Daytime telly, blue rinse dawn
Dads so bad he lives in the pub, its a underarms and football clubs
Flat chat, pine gap, in every home a big mac
And no one goes outback, thats that
You take what you get and get what you please
Its better to die on your feet than to live on your knees

Oh the power...

(hirst/moginie/garrett)

From www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3577232

Although relatively unknown beyond their own country's borders, Midnight Oil were considered to be the most environmentally and socially aware band in the history of music. A bold statement, maybe; but it is clear from their words and actions that this was very special group indeed. The US Rolling Stone magazine described them as 'one of the most significant bands ever to emerge from Australia.'

With album releases spanning four decades, they often made their contemporaries appear little more than shallow tune-peddlers. To detractors who labelled them as rabble-rousers, they were veritable foes whose sense of morality and simple sloganism endeared them to many, particularly within the environmental movement. This is the story of one of the greatest bands you've never heard of.

Related Link: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/m/midnight+oil/power+the+passion_20093259.html
author by OZpublication date Sat Oct 14, 2006 22:18author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Pretty sure Garret has changed his position on PIne Gap since singing those songs and being parachuted into a safe Labor seat over the opposition of local party members waiting patiently in line for preselection. At least in FF it's more likely to be an inherited position rather than despertaely recruiting fading rock stars.

Yes it's true that "Midnight Oil" were the most popular and most left band for many years in Australia. Garret, like Bono, was boxed off as the "legitimate voice of dissent" and crowned front man for the conservative Australian Conservation Foundation. His natural home should have been the Greens at the time. For reasons of ego (Garret is more born to rule, elitest educated, law graduate and son of an Anglican Minister, Bono not as tall, loss of mother early in search of affirmation & flattery) were disabled as radical voices of dissent and slotted safely away a long time ago. George Michael gives more grief to the Masters of War these days than these two!

Both Bono and Garret claim to be Christians, in countries where it isn't rad/lib chic to be. You may have overestimated Garrett's role in Midnight OIl, pretty sure the drummer wrote most of the lyrics. Chasing Garret at this stage over Pine Gap is minimally barking up the wrong tree or worse leading dissent up a blind alley.

You should also drop your expectations of the mainstream media. Although this action/trial story has been covered minimally by an increasingly housebroken ABC, I wouldn't hold your breath on serious treatment of the ongoing U.S. wars by Irish or OZ media. The have always been two of the most centrally concentrated and controlled media ownerships in the western world.

author by Robyn Wood - Tara Defenders, NO-WAR South Australiapublication date Sat Oct 14, 2006 23:19author email peacefulwarriorprincess at yahoo dot com dot auauthor address PO Box 231 Modbury North South Australia 5092 until Oct 31author phone +61 8 8395 3002Report this post to the editors

yes darling one of course I am seeking contact too with drumming legend Rob Hirst but I have only gotten through to his secretary as yet, I don't think he is on email.

Sadly from the CD and message he signed for me last year he too has gone all mellow and babyboomer and lost his angry young man edge.

What is it with the over 40s.

Time to fire them up again!

I know many think Peter Garrett is a sell out but imagine how hard it is to change from within a corrupt system - we need both approaches as well as us snipers from outside.

May I join forces with you as you seem pretty switched on?

cheers,

Robyn Wood

Related Link: http://www.myspace.com/moltengold
author by Robyn Wood - Tara Defenders, NO-WAR South Australiapublication date Sat Oct 14, 2006 23:31author email peacefulwarriorprincess at yahoo dot com dot auauthor address PO Box 231 Modbury North South Australia 5092 until Oct 31author phone +61 8 8395 3002Report this post to the editors


Subject: Requesting information on Pine Gap protests and legal challenges etc

To: Peter.Garrett.MP @ aph.gov.au

Shadow (Opposition) Parliamentary Secretary for Reconciliation and the Arts

Cc: Julia.Gillard.MP @ aph.gov.au

Shadow (Opposition) Minister for Health
Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives

Cc Kevin.Rudd.MP @ aph.gov.au

Shadow (Opposition) Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Security
Shadow (Opposition) Minister for Trade

Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 5:46 AM

Dear Peter (and friends),

I found this Pine Gap issue reported on the Irish Indymedia site and am saddened and dismayed to suspect there is a conspiracy of silence in the mainstream Australian media. Are you or your collegues perhaps able to shed any light on the issue? See the last 2 posts at the end for my efforts to promote you and your wonderful work both in Parliament and in Midnight Oil. Peter, you are a legend, and my role model - rock on!!

I am cc'ing Julia and Kevin as they are both Prime Minister material for the next election (can they run on a joint ticket?) and trust them to forward to the powers that be.

Keep up the great work everyone!

Kind regards,
Robyn Wood
PO Box 231
Modbury North
South Australia 5092
until October 31

From November 1st:
Dublin, Ireland for environmental and heritage activism

www.indymedia.ie/article/79037

"Australian Outback Support for the Raytheon 9"

(entire comment thread including photos was included in my email)

Related Link: http://www.myspace.com/moltengold
author by Deaglain O'Breaduinpublication date Sun Oct 15, 2006 14:44author address author phone Report this post to the editors

What is it with you Aussies. Shouldn't you be working together to sort out that mess of a country of yours rather than slagging each other off on an Irish website.

You refused to sign up to Kyoto and the rest of the world suffer.
You rob land from the aboriginees.
You are robbing natural resources and commiting acts of genocide in Iraq.
You have a racist PM who insults the people of Islam at every opportunity.
Your nation is hypocritical suppporting the death penalty for the Bali bombers but opposing it for its own citizens who kill people the slow way i.e. drug trafficking.

Be good little kids and work together to sort it out!

author by Carthage Buckleypublication date Sun Oct 15, 2006 15:07author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Robyn I admire your enthusiasm and I have emailed the aforementioned Mr.Garrett. However I found your suggested email a little lame and I have sent my own which I have copied and pasted below:

Peter,
As an Irish man with Australian family I became a fan of your music at a relatively young age. I really digged the social justice attitude you proclaimed. However now that I am finally in Australia I have come to see that you are just another hypocrite who made his name and his fortune by pretending to be something that he quite clearly is not.

Australian troops have facilitated an illegal war against our innocent muslim brothers and sisters in Iraq. As this if is not bad enough Pine Gap (you might remember singing about it) is being used to aim the bombs which have reportedly killed 655,000 INNOCENT men, women and children.

I hold little hope for John Howard seeing the error of his ways but for some reason I still have faith that you might get off your fraudelent, money-grabbing arse and do something about these issues.

Redemption is possible Peter!

Robyn tell it like it is!

author by OZpublication date Sun Oct 15, 2006 15:38author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Deaglan, we'll take it really slow for you. This is how it works. Welcome to the world wide web. If you want to avoid Australian themes, avoid accessing newswire items containing Australian related titles. It will only upset you.

There's been a lot of coming and going between Ireland and Australia since the first convict ships arrived. So you're probably going to find the occasional Australian related issues on an Iriah web site. Hope that wasn't too difficult for you.

If you're interpreting the comments posting as slagging, you're as timid as your government is in relation to Shell and the U.S. military which has made a military base out of your airport. Thanks for the tantrum.

author by Bryan Law - Christians Against ALL Terrorismpublication date Tue Oct 17, 2006 06:45author email bryan at cairnspeacebypeace dot orgauthor address author phone Report this post to the editors

Deaglan, you are 100% right in what you say.

I'd like you to appreciate that we're doing the best we can over here. This was the third in a series of actions we've done at Pine Gap, and there'll be a fourth when we come up for trial sometime in 2007.

We're looking to bring resistance to the fore, and throw sand in the cogs of the war machine. We linked with Ciaron because of old friendships, and with the Raytheon 9 because they are brave and resourceful resisters. Raytheon is at Pine Gap too! They have at least the maintenace contract.

We're all sisters and brothers and cousins around here after all.

Every time we exercise our power to resist we get stronger while Satan grows weaker. Get up! Stand up! I suppose...

Related Link: http://www.pinegap6.org
author by Bryan Law - Christians Against ALL Terrorismpublication date Tue Oct 17, 2006 07:08author address author phone Report this post to the editors

Here's another

October 7 2006 at Pine Gap
October 7 2006 at Pine Gap

author by Updatepublication date Fri Oct 27, 2006 09:40author address Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australiaauthor phone Report this post to the editors

Pine Gap Activists Face Court.

The five activists arrested at Pine Gap on Saturday the 7th of October faced court today charged with failing to cease to loiter and obstructing traffic. Four of the five pleaded guilty while the fifth, Edward Cranswick of Alelaide stated that he did not respect the jurisdiction of the court as it did not represent the will of the Australian people but that of the occupying power, the United States. The magistrate adjourned the matter to the 5th of February.

In mitigation the other four defendants stated that their actions were in protest against the United States’ government and the involvement of Pine Gap in the war in Iraq. Jamie Ford brought to the attention of the court that the CIA who operates Pine Gap are well known for international human rights abuses such as selling arms to Iran in the 1980s, Training terrorists such as Al Qaida and supporting brutal regimes such as the Taliban and inciting war in Latin America. He also stated that the US advocate the use of torture and incarceration without charge and that Pine Gap was linked to Raytheon, the worlds 5th largest arms dealer. “These are the reasons that as a citizen of Alice Springs I am disgusted to have such an installation in my region.” said Mr. Ford.

Mr. Ford along with Tracy Makamae of Yepoon, Carl Johnston of Alice Springs and Sam Land of New Zealand were fines $280 each for the offences.

Related Link: http://www.pinegap6.org
author by Tracey Makamaepublication date Tue Nov 07, 2006 18:53author address Central Queensland, Australiaauthor phone Report this post to the editors

17th October, 2006. My daughter’s 23rd Birthday- it’s 1:40 am and I’m sitting in the departure lounge at Darwin Airport terminal, wide awake after a double-shot latte..

Four other activists and I face Alice Springs court this morning in a non-violent peace protest at the gates of Pine Gap facility last week.

During the week that I attended the peace convergence to Alice Springs, I questioned my place among these people. Who was I to think I was a part of all this? I don’t fit in with them - their extremist views on environmental issues; what sort of coffee to drink; free trade or no; coffee in paper/plastic cups; don’t like chairs; hairy women; men who have 3 inches of dirt encrusted on their bare feet which hardens them against the hot Alice Springs pavement/bitumen! But RAW in their beauty! Beliefs strong, convictions firm; pacifists, yet mighty warriors for peace, hard workers, prepared, intelligent, astute and well read on the issues they stand for and against…this is their life. Not just their hobby.

It’s a jolt of reality for me. I literally feel like a troglodyte whose been living under a rock for a century emerging to an awakening of this new culture. Gentle people, Godly; funny; sincere; warm and yet untrusting, wary and ready for battle.

I question my motives:
· What the hell am I doing here?
· What made me think I could cut-it with these people?
· Am I serious?
· How serious?

These people don’t need to be stuffed around. I imagine how it would have been if I’d got involved in this earlier in my life.

My convictions really kicked in when I was in the court hearing for the Pine Gap 4; Donna Mulhearn, Adele Goldie, Jim Dowling and Bryan Law.
The four defendants sitting in the dock just one row in front of me, on trial, the whole scene was outrageous. We should have all been applauding them instead of criminalizing them. They acted according to their conscience and integrity, based on facts and they acted honorably.

It was then that I knew that I was moving into a new phase in my life - a door was opening. I began to focus on all the missed opportunities I’ve had and the constrained resistance within me to be an activist. I’d been fighting it all my 43 years of life, unable to embrace it for fear of what is ‘accepted conservative Christian behavior.’

I might not be the typical shape/type of person to represent this cause, but I have always been a strong advocate for peace, whether it pertains to the physical, environmental and spiritual.
I knew my heart was beginning to lead my head.

My focus became resolute towards making my stand at the peace action scheduled in two days time. The message was getting to me, the rest was easy. I approached Bryan and told him of my decision after contemplating his advice all week and from then on I was free. It was as if in my mind, the grey clouds parted and blue sky shone through clearly, all the uncertainty was gone.

I felt a real peace within, as I was focused, praying for direction I envisioned how it would all go down. I was now sure of myself. I set to task reassuring 22 yr old Sam- the other activist who had made a decision to act also. I got busy making banners and generally assisting the others and guided by a sense of surety I went to the protest. I wanted to sing the scripture, a song from Isaiah:

“He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of almighty God. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in Him will I trust. A thousand shall fall at my right hand and ten thousand at my right hand, but it shall not come nigh me. For His angels shall cover me in all my ways because you shall know His name”.

I sang while the protestors lined the road in preparation for the children’s protest. I knew that my song brought a real sense of peacefulness and comfort to everyone, as I felt it myself also. I knew that we needed God’s peace and strength.
Not having sung publicly for years was a big step for me, but I trusted the confidence in my heart and went out on a limb, forgetting possible rejection.

The beautiful children brought flowers to the guards, who coldy ignored their little offerings of kindness. My heart went out to them, but they resolutely laid them at their feet and smiled anyway. Such brave little ones for God!

Just being a part of the whole action; representing the Citizen’s Inspection Team; being photographed/filmed by ASIO’s cameramen at Pine Gap; just feeling a part of it all – to me was sacred.

We gathered on the road for the blockade-50 minutes of beautiful peace, weaving a woolen ‘web-of-life’ through each of us bound us symbolically together in unity; listening to Michael Franti belt out very cool tunes on a boom-box, which pierced the desert silence and brought it to life. The huge cross, with the names of so many people who have died in this war, yet such a tiny portion of those struck down from all sides.
The cross that rose high and stood somberly against the backdrop of the menacing war machine that is Pine Gap.. presented us with hope and courage. We sang songs of peace and freedom, that went out against the establishment yet I felt sure that our songs touched the hearts of the guards and federal police, hopefully to give them something to think about.
Then it was time. Everyone was asked to leave, and they did, but we resolute five stayed on. I took up a prayer position on the road alongside the others. Two beautiful ladies, Margaret and Ruth sang for us lifting our hearts up, what pillars of strength!!

Strangely, I felt quite alone, even though there were 5 of us gathered there, and as I knelt praying-not in fear, but rejoicing. The aloneness was strangely the same as when I gave birth as a young single mother. It was just as if something life-changing was occurring and it was to effect me forever.

All my life I have wanted to fit in - to make my life worth something. And I knew THIS was it. It’s about putting yourself on the line- my body; my person; and backing up what I say. I felt so satisfied and so fulfilled, and as the police took each one of the guys away, I knew I had to make a statement. My bulk would work in my favour this time and I would allow them to take me alright, but they’d have to work for it!
As they started to take me away I went limp, so they began dragging me, then grunting and moaning, dropped me, calling for the ‘cage’. I lay motionless on the road looking up at the last blue hues of the sky as the sun set in the desert of Central Australia. Beautiful- I felt completely at peace with myself and with God, like God was happy with me. It was wonderful.

I knew those 5 police officers were angry with me- and I sort of felt sorry for them, I’m so heavy-but I stayed completely non-resistant and let them do all the work. Looking and feeling undignified as much as possible was completely what I wanted. I was shoved into the back of the van and my head jerked forward in a final act of retaliation by the 8 police. I regained my composure, rearranged my new Peace t-shirt and pulled up my pants. The last cop asked me if I was OK? I replied Yes, I’m fine. He asked; “Have you done what you set out to do?” I relied, “Yes.” He said “Good!” and walked away.
Jubilant, I checked out my new digs for the 20 minute drive (toss) back to Alice Springs. I started singing and the men from the other wagon joined in.. “we shall overcome..” It was magic.

Honestly, for all the money and jewels in the world, nothing made me feel more like a princess than that moment.
The rough trip back to the watch-house was a wild one, but I just kept singing. I noticed as I sang I felt calm and relaxed, so I decided to share this with others. This was my new weapon so I sang to stay focused and release my happiness.
Upon arrival I was frisked, told to remove my shoes, jewelery, personal effects and escorted to cell number 4 with an indigenous woman. She seemed rather distressed and I spent the time trying to calm her down. She liked my singing so I went along with it.
I reflected on the big number 4 on the cell wall. It reminded me of the one on the Thunderbirds and I imagined the guards like puppets walking in, telling me the charges I was under! With the other lady gone, I continued my vigil of song and three and a half hours later I had fingerprints and DNA taken, charged with 1 count of loitering/refusing to leave and 1 count of obstructing traffic, and instructed not to go within 2 km radius of the Pine Gap facility. (This was a shame as I was looking forward to attending mass there the following morning.) My bail was set at $750 and re-arrest if I didn’t appear in court in ten days. I was delighted! I walked out of the watch-house after flirting with the officer who held my hand to take my prints, shaking hands with both duty police officers, who thanked me for serenading them. I was out the door and was met by a cheering crowd of faithful, beautiful people who waited all that time for our release. They clapped and cheered, and I was struck dumb, amazed that firstly they hadn’t all gone home to bed, but basically because they were cheering for me. No one has ever cheered for me before. I was humbled in the extreme, without doubt. I was confronted with the realization that no, my own family may not support me, no; the church system I had tried to fit into for twenty-five years and folks I considered to be Christians will not support me, and yet these precious people were the truest, staunchest models of Christian brothers and sisters I have ever met. Without question. This is real Christianity; this is real love and concern, these are my people now. I’ll be loyal to them from now onwards. I made the decision that moment to be there for many, many others in years to come, in solidarity and true Christianity.

Later that day in court I pled guilty to my charges, the police prosecution tried to bring up my former arrest when I was a fourteen year old minor of stealing. I represented myself in court and told the judge, “Your Honour, the charge was 29 years ago and I was a minor. There was no conviction recorded.” To which the judge replied that it was non admissible and it was thrown out immediately. He then gave me fines of $120 for each the charges, and no conviction was recorded. Three of the other defendants received the same except for one who is a US citizen and told the judge that he “..does not recognize the authority of the court.” Bless his heart, he will have his day in court and probably receive a similar outcome to the rest of us.

The title of the Pine Gap 5 has stuck. We are joined together now no matter what happens, and I will always respect these strong, beautiful men. My solidarity will always be with the PG 4 and the others who were also arrested, as they face trial in the Supreme court against the crown and 7 years for penetrating the Pine Gap facility and a possible further 2 years for taking the now infamous photographs. I am and will always be proud to have done this action with these wonderful gentle and courageous souls.

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