Thursday 21 July 2011

Anti-war protestor Bryan Law arrested again in Rockhampton

Cairns Peace by Peace anti-war protestor Bryan Law was arrested this morning after using a garden mattock to smash a military helicopter in Rockhampton Airport during the Talisman Saber US/Australian wargames.

Bryan Law, who is now in police custody, caused a stir in Rockhampton by announcing his intention to disarm a military helicopter to the Rockhampton Airport, Defence Dept and QLD Police many months prior to the Talisman Saber military exercises.

Fellow protestor Marissa Dowling says that Bryan's action follows in the tradition of the Ploughshares Movement, the nonviolent disarmament of weapons of war.

"We find inspiration in the Bible scriptures of Isaiah (2:4) and Micah (4:3) where the prophets tell of a time when swords will be beaten into ploughshares, and Nations will no longer prepare for war. Since 1980 there have been more than 70 such actions, many resulting in jail sentences," Marissa Dowling says.

Three other peace activists, including Margaret Pestorius, Law's partner, along with Andy Paine and Robert Jones, have also been charged with trespass on Commonwealth property after walking into the Shoalwater Bay Training Area intent on hindering and disrupting the wargames.

The trio spent the last three days within the restricted training area and were arrested blockading military vehicles.

The activists treated their trespass as a peace pilgrimage dedicated to the Blessed Franz Jaegerstaetter, the Austrian villager who spoke out against the Nazis, refused military service, was arrested, beheaded in 1943 and beatified in 2007.

Amongst other things, the Three Jaegerstaetter Amigos built and left a shrine to the Blessed Franz Jaegerstaetter within the Training Area.

Pestorius, Paine and Jones appeared at the Rockhampton Magistrates Court this morning and were found guilty of trespass and obstruction. Jones was sentenced to pay $200 or serve 5 days in prison; Paine $600 or 6 days in prison, and Margaret Pestorius was fined $750 and made to forfeit her GPS and map.

The war games continue.

9 comments:

nomooremike said...

I hope the fat freak is jailed for a couple of years, to show our kids what happens when you treat the laws of this land with contempt.

Anonymous said...

I've read the Bible and there's no mention of helicopters.

bigblue said...

I think brian has lost the plot , damaging a helicopter was a very stupid act . As we all know defence assets are used to assist us all in emergencies .
As for fighting the nazi's I haven't seen him standing up for the Transport Workers Union campaign against the anti-union fascist government of Fiji.
Or the muslim fascists of the southern phillipines attacking a democratic government.
Come on Brian , stop playing with the kids where your rights and safety are assured , go stick your head in the lions mouth, I'll bet it bites.

KitchenSlut said...

Somehow .... attacking a helicopter with a garden mattock as a peace protest just doesnt quite match Gandhi .....

Bryan Law said...

What can I say, the Tiger helicopter can't assist anyone in an emergency. It carries two people, a pilot and a weapons officer. No room for water, food, freight or any other passengers.

It does carry a shit-load of weapons (30 mm cannon, and various rockets/missiles - including the "hellfire", a notorius killer of civilians.

On the day I struck, Tigers were the PR story of the day - how wonderfully they'll complement the slaughter in Afghanistan. I was glad, real glad, to put a mattock blade in their plans.

Bryan Law said...

KS, you're right there old sport, I can't possibly match Gandhi. Of course I don't try. I just do what I can.

I'm interested in hearing mor about what you've done though. How have you used your influence and standing to end this war? Or can't you get past the cork?

nomooremike said...

"How have you used your influence and standing to end this war?"

I'd like to ask you the same question Bryan.

The answer, of course, is that you've done nothing to end this war, nothing at all.

Nice bit of self-publicity though, you must be chuffed.



"Tiger helicopter[s] can't assist anyone in an emergency."

Search and rescue Bryan .... small planes can't pick up passengers either, but they still help with the search, thereby aiding the rescue.

What you did, if indeed you did anything, was a disgrace.

Bryan Law said...

aaaah, counsels of despair and diminution. I guess it goes with made-up name.

KitchenSlut said...

"Or can't you get past the cork?"

Wow, any reference to a cork is just so baby boomer!

Cork? What is that? Hang on I may still a couple of bottles of Grange in the cellar with corks!

What difference have I made? What difference have you?