Support Waihopai Ploughshares, 17-18 September 2008

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"On 30 April, Christian activists Sam, Peter and Adi deflated the protective dome covering a satellite dish at the Waihopai spy base near Blenheim. This Christian non-violent direct action was to protest against NZ's involvement in America's war in Iraq. On the 18th of September, they will be in court for their depositions hearing where they will enter a plea in relation to the two criminal charges they are facing. Your prayers and support are appreciated."

* Blenheim, 17 and 18 September

On Wednesday, 17 September * 6pm - evening meal at Saint Mary's Presbytery, 61 Maxwell Road * 7.30pm - 'Swords into ploughshares: defence bases and idolatry' discussion forum, Saint Mary's Church foyer. Overnight accommodation at St Mary's Parish Hall (mattresses only provided)

On Thursday, 18 September * 10am - depositions hearing, Courtroom No 1, Blenheim District Court, 58 Alfred Street * 1pm to 2pm - sausage sizzle and cake stall to raise money for the reconstruction of Iraq (target:USD$800,000,000,000) at the Blenheim War Memorial, opposite the court house.

A printable poster with the Blenheim events is available at www.converge.org.nz/pma/plsept08.jpg For more information contact Adi, tel 06 364 8966 or email jeff (at) firefly.co.nz

* Wellington, Thursday 18 September

From 1pm to 2.30pm - peaceful presence at the GCSB HQ, Freyberg Building, corner Aitken Street and Mulgrave Street (opposite Archives NZ), with music, and more! All welcome, come along and support Ploughshares non-violent / faith-based kaupapa; for more information contact Wellington Ploughshares Support Group, email noakesduncan (at) gmail.com

* Auckland, Thursday 18 September

From 12.30pm to 2pm - peaceful presence outside the US Consulate, Citibank Building, 23 Customs Street East (corner of Commerce Street). All welcome! come along and support Ploughshares non-violent / faith-based kaupapa; for more information contact Auckland Ploughshares Support Group, c/o email pma (at) xtra.co.nz

* Other ways you can support Ploughshares

Prayer, advocacy and money are all important ways that supporters can participate in the witness of Ploughshares. Ploughshares support information - including a request for prayers / karakia, how to post messages of support or join the Ploughshares mailing list, and suggestions for questions you can ask the Prime Minister about Waihopai - are available at ploughshares.org.nz/support or by emailing ploughshares08 (at) gmail.com

Help get the message out - print and distribute the flyer at www.converge.org.nz/pma/plstatement.pdf

If you can help with financial support, donations can be made * by bank transfer: WestPac, Account Name: Te Wairua Maranga Trust, Account Number: 03-1703-0036346-04 - donations are not tax-deductible * by cheque: please send your cheque payable to 'Peace Movement Aotearoa - Special Projects', with a note saying it is for Waihopai Ploughshares, and your name and address (if you'd like a receipt) to Peace Movement Aotearoa, PO Box 9314, Wellington 6141. Thank you

Ploughshares Penetrate Waihopai Base Deflate Satellite Dome

by Ploughshares

Statement Of The Waihopai ANZAC Ploughshares

They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift sword against nation; and there shall be no more training for war. Isaiah 2/4

This morning, 30 April 2008, we entered the Waihopai Spy Base near Blenheim. Our group, including a Dominican Priest, temporarily closed the base by padlocking the gates and proceeded to deflate one of the large domes covering two satellite dishes.

At 6am we cut through three security fences surrounding the domes - these are armed with razor wire, infrared motion sensors and a high voltage electrified fence. Once inside we used sickles to cut one of the two 30-metre white domes, built a shrine and knelt in prayer to remember the people killed by United States military activity.

We have financed our activities through personal savings, additional part-time employment and a small interest-free loan from one of our supporters.

We are responding to the Bush administration’s admission that intelligence gathering is the most important tool in the so-called War on Terror. This war will have no end until citizens of the world refuse to let it continue. The ECHELON spy network including Waihopai, is an important part of the US government’s global spy network and we have come in the name of the Prince of Peace to close it down.

The base is funded by New Zealand tax payers and located on New Zealand soil which makes New Zealand a target through our association with the UKUSA intelligence cooperation agreement.

Five years ago the Clark government opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq. Yet at the same time the Bush administration was using the National Security Agency’s ECHELON system, of which Waihopai is an integral component, to spy on UN Security Council members so it could more easily swing them in favour of an invasion.

There have been over 100 Ploughshares actions over the last twenty years around the world. Ploughshares direct actions are linked through the common factors of: entry to locations connected to military activity, Christian prayers and most involve some form of property destruction.

Links: Photos | Anti-Bases Campaign | GPJA Congratulations

About Waihopai and ECHELON

Green MP Keith Locke is quoted as saying that the base has cost New Zealand up to NZ$500million since 1989. The base intercepts electronic communications throughout the Pacific region including New Zealand and is often staffed by personnel from US agencies.

In 1996 researcher Nicky Hager published an expose on Waihopai and New Zealand’s strong links to the USA-led ECHELON network of six similar spy stations around the world. The United Nations launched an investigation in 2003 to claims that ECHELON had been used by the US government to eavesdrop on UN diplomats and Security Council members. A report published in 2000 showed that ECHELON had also been used by the US to gain commercial advantage for US corporations.

Information gathered at Waihopai is transferred to the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) in Wellington and fed unseen directly to Washington DC.

ANZAC Day Protest - Lest we forget: already forgotten

ANZAC Day is used both in Australia & NZ to build its settler mythology and to legitimize the presence of NZ troops around the world. War mongering Imperialism then, War mongering Imperialism Now. Troops out of the Middle East, Troops out of the Pacific Haere Atu
Fantastic protest. Solidarity love and kaha to the arrestees.

Author

* Anonymous

Date Created

* 25 Apr 2007

License
public domainThis work is in the public domain.

Members of Peace Action Wellington (PAW) demonstrated at the Wellington ANZAC Day dawn service this morning, displaying banners that said "Lest We Forget: Already Forgotten - Afghanistan, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste" and "Conscientious Objectors: the real war heroes."

"ANZAC Day has ceased to be a day where we commit to 'never again', and has instead become nothing less than a celebration of the New Zealand military and the glorification of war," said Valerie Morse, Peace Action Wellington member.

"Lest we forget that the New Zealand military is currently engaged in combat in Afghanistan, the Solomon Islands and Timor Leste. Lest we forget that the New Zealand military is currently deployed in 18 different missions around
the world."

"Lest we forget that the military has, and always will, exist for the sole purpose of waging war," said Valerie Morse.

This morning's demonstration also marks the launch of Peace Action Wellington's 'NZ Troops Out Now' campaign. For further information about the campaign, go to www.nztroopsoutnow.org

"Peace Action Wellington demands the immediate withdrawal of all New Zealand troops and the cessation of all military training and joint exercises with other armies," concluded Valerie Morse.

http://indymedia.org.nz/newswire/display/72937/index.php

Solemn note to Anzac ceremonies

TAKEN AWAY: An anti-war protestor is lead away after a flag burning incident at Wellington's Anzac dawn service.

Bro was only doing a 'Tama Iti' on the flag wipe. Kia Kaha. NZ/OZ Troops/Police out of the Pacific-Haere Atu

Wednesday, 25 Apr 2007

Tens of thousands of New Zealanders marked Anzac Day at Dawn Services around the country this morning.

Solemn ceremonies were attended by large crowds in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, with protesters who burnt a NZ flag in Wellington making the only sour note.

A record crowd of about 15,000 attended the 68th dawn service in Auckland, while 8000 turned out at the Square in Christchurch.

Wellington RSA Anzac Day convenor Trevor McComish said this morning's crowd exceeded attendance of about 2,500 last year, highlighting the increasing popularity of the event.

"The younger generation are really embracing Anzac Day."

In Wellington, the tightly packed crowd lined areas around the cenotaph, with young children kneeling at the front and many people craning their necks to get a view of the ranks of about 150 veterans.

Chaplain Colonel Margaret Hay told the crowd they were part of a "vast company" of people around the country who had gathered at Anzac Day dawn services to honour the efforts of servicemen and servicewomen.

Two veterans were given medical attention after becoming faint during the ceremony in Wellington.

Hayley Westenra led the singing of the national anthem.

Anti-war protesters burnt the NZ flag and shouted during a speech by former defence secretary Graham Fortune.

A man and woman are to appear in Wellington District Court today charged with obstructing a police officer and offensive behaviour respectively after the incident.

Bob Marley-War

Check out :http://www.myspace.com/silenteclipse thats the Sista VJ who made the vid

War

What life has taught me
I would like to share with
Those who want to learn...

Until the philosophy which hold one race
Superior and another inferior
Is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned
Everywhere is war, me say war

That until there are no longer first class
And second class citizens of any nation
Until the colour of a man's skin
Is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes
Me say war

That until the basic human rights are equally
Guaranteed to all, without regard to race
Dis a war

That until that day
The dream of lasting peace, world citizenship
Rule of international morality
Will remain in but a fleeting illusion
To be persued, but never attained
Now everywhere is war, war

And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes
that hold our brothers in Angola, in Mozambique,
South Africa sub-human bondage
Have been toppled, utterly destroyed
Well, everywhere is war, me say war

War in the east, war in the west
War up north, war down south
War, war, rumours of war

And until that day, the African continent
Will not know peace, we Africans will fight
We find it necessary and we know we shall win
As we are confident in the victory

Of good over evil, good over evil, good over evil
Good over evil, good over evil, good over evil

Robert Nesta Marley