Monday, September 11th
STANDING WITH THE PINE GAP 4
Friends,
In about three weeks the Pine Gap 4 (Jim Dowling, Bryan Law, Adele Goldie and Donna Mulhearn) will face trial in the Northern Territory Supreme Court following their Citizen’s Inspection of the US Spy Base ‘Pine Gap’ in December last year. (Six were involved - four left to stand trial.)
With Attorney General Phillip Ruddock’s permission, the Commonwealth has dusted off a Cold-War era act to throw heavy charges at us that carry a maximum of seven years in prison. The Government will attempt to defend this dodgy spy base and its support of the US war machine while at the same time attempting to intimidate activists from criticising the base.
We will put an alternative view - super secret spy bases do NOT hold the key to Australia’s security (nor do control orders!).
To be sure this message is conveyed loud and clear, we have invited friends, supporters and activists to join us in Alice Springs for a national peace convergence and solidarity actions during the trial from October 3 to Oct13.
But for those who are not able to join us, we are offering the opportunity to express your support by endorsement. We are collecting lists of organisations, peace groups, churches and individuals who wish to express solidarity with Christians Against ALL Terrorism, the Pine Gap 4 and our aims to expose Pine Gap’s activity for public scrutiny.
We will print up and display these endorsements outside the courthouse during the trial – just to remind the Government that we are not alone in our desire to expose Pine Gap and hold it accountable.
To send your endorsement e-mail to pinegap6@yahoo.com.au with your name or the name of your group; if you wish to make a one-sentence statement as part of your endorsement, please do so.
Meanwhile supporters are planning solidarity vigils and fundraisers across Australia.
How you can be involved:
- Can your organisation offer admin help, eg: printing, photocopying, designing brochures etc? (In Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney)
- Does anyone have website skills they can share to help maintain website?
- Sydney people can attend two fundraisers coming up (details below)
- Organise or publicise solidarity vigils that will be held around the country during the trial
- Suggest your group send a delegate to the peace convergence
- Order some of our famous postcards, with pictures taken inside Pine Gap
- Make a donation to help our legal costs (we need to pay for all our witnesses to attend)
- write to Phillip Ruddock expressing disappointment at his political interference in Australia’s legal system.
- Organise fundraisers to help with our costs: Please contact us if have any fundraising ideas. If you are able to donate towards our costs the account name is:
“Sean O’Reilly” Commonwealth Bank, Kippa-Ring branch
BSB: 064-166 A/c number: 102 66104
or by post to Sean O’Reilly 69 Kurumba St, Kippa-Ring, QLD, 4021
- Spread the word (eg letters to the editor) about Pine Gap and our action
- link to our website www.pinegap6.org
We’re ready to hear from you and hope to receive some endorsements, that way making the Pine Gap 4 more like the Pine Gap 400 or 4000!
Donna
* Sydney people: fundraisers to mark in your diaries:
Saturday September 16, Films on the Bases, 4pm-6pm, Gaelic Club, Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, organised by the Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition www.anti-bases.org
* Saturday September 23, 7.30pm, Pine Gap 4 Pre-Prison (?) Party,
A ‘good luck’ send off for Donna with live music, singing, auction, raffles, fun!
Gaelic Club, Devonshire Street, Surry Hills (across from Central Station) $10 entry
* Sydney Solidarity vigil to mark in your diary: Sunday October 8, Richmond Air Base, 12.30pm-1.30pm picnic and speakers, 1.30pm-2.30pm festooning the fence, more info www.anti-bases.org
Donna's Upcoming talks:
* Saturday September 16, Films on Bases fundraiser, 4pm, Gaelic Club, Devonshire Street, Surry Hills
* Sunday September 17, Newcastle, 11am, Trades Hall Council or Panthers Club (venue tbc)
* Sunday September 17, Central Coast Church Café, 5pm, (held in Seventh day Adventist Church) Lisarow Street, Lisarow
* Wednesday September 20, Melbourne, St Martins Community Church, Cnr Otto and Wellington Streets, Collingwood, 7pm