Nineteen Peace Protesters Face Court

Media Advisory:          Nineteen Peace Protesters Face Court

 Date:               2^nd August 2007

Times:             7.30am gather at Yeppoon foreshore

                        8am ritual outside Yeppoon Magistrates Court

                        8.30am court appearances begin

 Nineteen people face Yeppoon Magistrates Court this Thursday (2/8) for peaceful protests during the Talisman Sabre Military Training exercises in June.  

 They will process from the Yeppoon foreshore to the Court from 7.30am, to hold a ritual outside the court, before entering at 8.30am.

 The majority will plead not guilty, and return for the trial at a later date.  Others will plead guilty and the matter will be determined immediately. 

 Seventeen are charged with Trespass on Commonwealth Land, arising from entering the base on five different occasions during the military training exercises.

 Two are charged with Public Nuisance after attempting to ‘Make Love, Not War’ at a gate of the base.

 The protesters are aged from 21 and 66, are from Melbourne, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

 “Practicing for war only means more war. That is why we must imagine peace, embody peace, practice peace.” stated Rev. Simon Moyle one of the arrestees

 “The law exists to preserve the peace, not shelter war mongers” said another arrestee Jessica Morrison. “When our Government is supporting illegal wars, the community must act.”

 
Details of Protest Actions

 Seven people in two groups spent four days inside the base before approaching military personnel.  These are June Norman (Sunshine Coast, 66yrs, Pensioner), Wayne Reid, Rod Castle (Sunshine Coast, Youth Worker), Neils Jack, Jess Morrison(Melbourne, 31 yrs, nuclear campaigner), Carey Priest (Melbourne), and Kristy Henderson (Melbourne). 

Five people entered an airstrip within the base and played Frisbee with personnel before arrested.  These are Rev. Simon Moyle (Melbourne, 30 yrs, Baptist Minister) Simon Reeves (Melbourne, 26 yrs, Social Worker), Carole Powell (Brisbane, 54 yrs, Nurse), Sarah Williams (Melbourne, 23 yrs, Support Worker) and Krystal Spencer (Melbourne, 21 yrs, Student. 

Four people climbed a cow fence at the Byfield gate and refused to return.  These are Paul Hood, Tricia Mann, Emma Brindal and Kristina Schmah (Brisbane, 38. Environmental Consultant).

One person danced the Hokey Pokey, and was arrested when he put his “whole self in” – he was Byron Lawrie (Sunshine Coast, 28 yrs, Student).

Two people were arrested naked and embracing at the Byfield gate, shouting “make love, not war”, they were Rick Pass and Melinda. 

For further information: Jessica Morrison 0431 519 577