Thursday, October 5th
THE QUEEN VERSUS THE PINE GAP 4 - DAY TWO
Thirty supporters waiving colorful banners once more accompanied our four friends to court today. We were deeply encouraged by the presence of several delgates from the National Aboriginal and Islander Catholic Council who are here this week to commemorate the Pope's speech supporting Indigneous rights 20 years ago. Before entering the court Donna led us in the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi “Make me a channel of your peace”.
There were two matters to be addressed today – one was an application for discovery (an attempt to gain information from the Crown), and the second surrounded the secret supression order. Our lawyer today was a local, Russell Goldflam.
Russell asked for an adjournment of the discovery matter to next Thursday, when the other matters are addressed. The Crown suggested that we should withdraw the order instead! We didn't take them up on their suggestion, and the Judge ordered that they will be dealt with next week.
Far more significant was the matter in relation to the 'supression order'. This order was made in a closed court in Darwin on September 14 by Justice Mildren and later served by hand on the four defendents. Today was the first time the defendents were able to be present in court while the matter was discussed. When they emerged they were able to confirm that there is an order and that it is a jail-able offence for them to disclose any information about the content.
We are now looking forward to our PEACE CONVERGENCE EVENTS over the weekend.
Ciaron O'Rielly arrived today, and was followed into town by Federal Police. Ciaron is an Aussie, and has recently been acquitted for causing over $2million damage to a US military plane at Shannon airport in Ireland.
Cairon will be one of the key speakers at a public forum on Friday night at the Alice Springs Council Buildings. We are also excited to have Mitch, a local Indigenous woman share the night with us who will also be talking of their struggles.
On Saturday we are gearing up for some exciting action at the Pine Gap base. We are meeting there at 2pm.
There will be a solidarity action at Richmond Airbase from 12.30pm. There will be a picnic, 'festooning' of banners on the fences, and speakers. Lifts are available to the site. For more information see www.anti-bases. org.