Activists still inside war games zone, more go in: Press Conference & Action

MEDIA RELEASE

June 21, 2007.

Day Three for 7 activists at risk inside war games zone: more activists enter base

Today marks three days since seven peace activists entered the Shoalwater Bay Military Training Area to oppose the Talisman-Sabre 07 Joint US-Australian war games. The military are still maintaining that this is a hoax and carrying on the war games. The Peace Convergence is very concerned for their safety.

Spokesperson for the Peace Convergence, Treena Lenthall says, “We want assurances from the military that these people are safe.”

Now a second group of five people has also entered the base last night, and possibly a third group this morning. The second group were detained at 11am today by military police at Samuel Hill, inside the base, and are being taken to Rockhampton watch house. Below is their statement.

There could be a possible third group.

The Peace Convergence is holding a 12 noon action outside the military barracks and a 3pm press conference, details below.

Peace Convergence Spokesperson, Treena Lenthall 044785158

ACTION ALERT:

Peace Convergence activists will stage a protest blockade of the Rockhampton Barracks, Western St, from 12 noon in demand that the people inside the SWBTA are found and that the war games stop until that happens.

Contact for Barracks Action: Ky Kovacs 0423 875 071 or Micheal Jacks 0429 853 036

MEDIA ALERT: PRESS CONFERENCE

Peace Convergence organizers

Partner of Neils Jack (24) one of the seven activists still inside the base, Jedda Scott (28)

When: 3pm

Where:

Outside the Walter Reid Centre

Corner East and Derby Streets

Rockhampton

Contact for Press Conference: David Bradbury 0409 925 469

Media Alert - For Immediate Release

June 21, 2007

Pacifists Penetrate Military Perimeter at Shoalwater Bay

Five Christian pacifists have entered the Shoalwater Military Training Area today to raise their concerns about and stop the Talisman Sabre live military exercises taking place over the next two weeks.

Simon Reeves (26 yrs Melbourne – Social Worker), Simon Moyle (30 yrs Melbourne – Baptist Minister), Krystal Spencer (21yrs MelbourneMelbourne – Support Worker) and Carol Powell (53yrs Brisbane – Nurse (Registered)) release the following statement: – Student), Sarah Williams (23 yrs

“Imagining Peace”

We plan to enter the base to disrupt these military exercise with our presence. We do so openly and honestly, without deception, and while actively seeking out military personnel with whom to dialogue.

We are five nonviolent Christian people who, like the prophet Isaiah, are working towards the day when people will beat swords into ploughshares and study war no more. As followers of the nonviolent Jesus, we cannot stand by while our country plans the destruction of our brothers and sisters in other countries and the environment here at Shoalwater Bay.

We do not take these actions lightly, but with an awareness that the gravity of our actions pales in comparison to the crimes of the Australian and US militaries this week. The destruction of pristine wilderness, with unique and endangered wildlife is unacceptable, as is the increased reliance on violent methods of conflict resolution. We take these actions because all other legal attempts to stop the exercises have failed.

People are likely to say that we have no respect for the law, however, this is not so. Rather, we say, with Martin Luther King Jr. and in accordance with the principles of nonviolence, “I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.”

We believe that practicing for war only means more war. That is why we must imagine peace, embody peace, practice peace.

Another world is possible: that is why we act. (end statement)

------------------------------------------------------------

More information about the action will be released when available.

Media spokespersons:

Jacob Bolton, Justice and Peace Initiates 0433 832 000

Frank Bruinstroop, Just Peace 0438 779 324

Vision will be available early afternoon: Vision contact, Robin Taubenfeld 0411 118 737