Media Releases

Media Release: Secret SAS training centre occupied by four Christians from “Christians Against All Terrorism”

Monday 30^th November, 2020, 6am

Four anti-war activists from “Christians Against ALL Terrorism” are on Swan Island, protesting and shining a light on the secretive spy and SAS training base, just one hour west of Melbourne.

UPDATE! Four Christians have been arrested by Vic Police and have been removed from the SAS Training base after disrupting the ongoing SAS training there this morning. [See live video on the Wage Peace Facebook page] Summary now on youtube, They have called to #AbolishtheSAS and to #StopTrainingKillers

Peter Murnane a Dominican Priest, Shane Anderson, Jim Dowling and Greg Rolles have accessed the base early this morning.

“We act to draw attention to terrible war crimes, and to help bring them to an end.” Murnane said. “There needs to be an independent enquiry conducted by a body not connected to the military, and we need to immediately disband the SAS. The Brereton enquiry has shown us that the SAS has committed horrendous war crimes. The SAS stoops to waging the worst forms of warfare.”

In 2014, four Christian peace activists were tortured on Swan Island by members of the Swan Island Army Detachment (which includes the SAS).

“As Christians working for peace, we have come back here to remind the SAS of the crimes they committed, of violence and torture towards four men who were nonviolently demonstrating.” Murnane said. “It is love that is basic to humanity, not violence of any kind, whether domestic or international.”

Greg Rolles, 39, was one of those brutally assaulted by the SAS in October 2014 “Love must actively resist violence. Only by this can we heal the victims of war, or heal the soldiers trained to commit this brutality, to heal our earth, and heal our world.” Rolles said.

The Brereton Report has highlighted 39 horrendous war crimes committed by SAS personnel, many of whom have most likely trained at Swan Island military base, right here in Victoria. It is not enough that these 39 war crimes be internally investigated, the SAS needs to be disbanded immediately.

Background

Live Feed may be available from Facebook Wage Peace

Twitter: @wagepeaceau

‘Power and pain’: an Australian citizens’ encounter with the SAS

Kieran Finnane Pearls and Irritations 26 November 2020

‘Power and pain’: an Australian citizens’ encounter with the SAS

Three anti-war protesters sue Defence Force over alleged assault during protest

Emily Moulton News.com.au 30 September, 2015

Greg Rolles from the Swan Island Peace Convergence group has launched legal action against the Australian Defence Force claiming he was ‘threatened with anal rape’ by an unidentified officer. Picture: Nathan Dyer Source: News Corp Australia

Scott asks about Secret SAS squad investigated for alleged rape and drowning threats

Senate Estimates 23 October, 2014

Scott Ludlam asks about the existence of a secret SAS 4 Squadron and the alleged capture of peace activists at Swan Island using brutal force such as having their clothes ripped off, their heads covered in hessian bags, their hands and feet bound with cable ties and threats of rape and drowning. (Senate Estimates) — Then Senator Scott Ludlam grills Lieutenant General David Morrison and Air Chief Marshal Mark Donald Binskin about the existence of a secret SAS 4 Squadron and the alleged capture of peace activists at Swan Island using brutal force such as having their clothes ripped off, their heads covered in hessian bags, their hands and feet bound with cable ties and threats of rape and drowning.

ASIS base protesters claim mistreatment in ‘Guantanamo Bay’ style

Louise Milligan ABC 9 October 2014

Anti-war protesters claim they were abused on Swan Island intelligence facility

Peter Michelborough at the Herald Sun 2 Oct, 2017

Herald Sun article Anti-war protesters claim assault illegal — *Swan Island Peace Convergence group spokesman Greg Rolles is suing over his treatment by the defence force.*

Anti-war activists who broke into Swan Island military base to be charged.

The Guardian Helen Davidson 2 October, 2014

*Defence Force Inquiry Report into the circumstances surrounding the trespass incident at Swan Island on 02 October 2014*

Protests at the entrance to the Swan Island SAS training facility 2014: Bnaner Who's dirty wars are the SAS fighting — **Click to download 300dpi version** *Protests at the entrance to the Swan Island SAS training facility 2014: Banner Who’s dirty wars are the SAS fighting?*

Media Release: August 2020 Boeing is Out of Control

MEDIA RELEASE 11 August 2020

See also a summary and commentary on the action at www.wagepeaceau.org/boeing-out-of-control

Boeing is #OutofControl

Peace activists have disrupted work at the Brisbane office of Boeing Defence this morning, saying the company’s construction of weaponised drones and other autonomous weapons is part of a militarism that is out of control.

A group of 20 people gathered in the lobby of the Boeing office at 150 Charlotte Street, at 7am this morning, calling on workers entering the building to use their skills on projects that will sustain life, not those which take it away.

Known for their incursion to the US military base Pine Gap, the Peace Pilgrims have redirected their musical lament to Brisbane Boeing which is another link in the killing chain. Using electric guitars and a violin, they played music lamenting, and raging at the culture of death. A book about the Peace Pilgrims PEACE CRIMES, by Alice Springs author Kieran Finnane, was published last week by UQP.

Spokesperson Greg Rolles said “We are here today because Boeing builds aircraft for war crimes. The attack helicopter that killed journalists in the infamous ‘Collateral Murder’ video was Boeing’s. Boeing unmanned drones have destroyed civilian infrastructure in Yemen, enabled an unlawful campaign of extra-judicial assassination, and left countless people in fear of their own skies.”

Mr Rolles said “Boeing’s further research into artificial intelligence will take humanity even more out of the loop. Boeing is now building armed drones in Brisbane and siphoning money out of Australian communities into the production of weapons designed to kill. Boeing is out of control.”

The Australian government this year committed to contributing $40 million to Boeing’s development of the autonomous combat aircraft “Loyal Wingman”. The Department of Defence’s Force Structure Plan stated “new and existing aircraft will combine with remotely piloted and autonomous systems to provide increased lethality and survivability.”

Mr Rolles said “the impacts of the climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic this year have shown clearly that our real security comes not from bigger bombs but from better co-operation; from technology that conserves life rather than that which kills. Yet Boeing is taking our taxpayers money and some of the brightest engineering minds to develop weapons that increase conflict, and artificial intelligence that takes human connection and empathy out of the picture. The militarism embodied by companies like Boeing is out of control, and the future of humanity depends on us taking it back.”

For more information on Artificial Intelligence and autonomous weapons development: Matilda Byrne from SafeGround, Coordinator Stop Killer Robots Australia. 0400 118 441 SafeGround – Campaign to Stop Killer Robots”

Photos and videos available

and at Wage Peace You Tube

Is this justice? EOS arms deals to Saudi Arabia and UAE

AUSTRALIANS TAKE ACTION TO STOP WAR

Concerned citizens took a disruptive performance to four Canberra sites to highlight how Canberra supports the transfer of Australian weapons, made by Electro Optic Systems (EOS), to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On Nov 13th the group visited

Canberra Airport, where the “EOS weapons executive” welcomed the “Saudi General”.
EOS factory at 90 Sheppard St Hume.
ACT Government offices.
Canberra’s favoured statue of Ethos outside the ACT Legislative Assembly.

The group performed a theatrical procession revealing war crimes in action, “Extra Lethal”, featuring a Saudi General, a weapons executive and of course – victims of war.

Background

Canberra’s Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has repurposed its world class technology, previously applied in aerospace navigation, to create lethal weapons for overseas regimes.

The CEO Ben Greene previously admitted the company has plans for future shipments to the Kingdom of Saudi. Furthermore, in a media release dated January 30, 2018 Greene claimed that the EOS R400 weapons system is all about “considerably enhancing lethality”.

EOS has sent weapons systems to the Saudi Ministry of Interior, even after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as indicated by this shipment noted at Sydney airport in June 2019.

SIGN THIS PETITION NOW TO #STOPARMINGSAUDI

Shipping label showing R400s Remote Weapon Station exported to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Minister for Interior, General Department of Arms and Explosives via Orbital ATK.Shahnaz Martin from Wage Peace said “The board is stacked with Canberra identities such as Kate Lundy and General Peter Leahy: people embedded in Canberra society pretending to do good, but doing deals with dictators”.

Former Labor Senator Kate Lundy and General Peter Leahy are on the board of directors for EOS. ACT Defence Industries is promoting the company. Lundy is “Defence Industries Ambassador” for the ACT. The Canberra airport advertises the company.

“We say EOS enhances the lethality of Saudi war crimes in Yemen. We fear the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are using weapons against their own population including women struggling for human rights and other dissidents such as journalists.” said Ms Martin

“This company’s interest is simply about money with total disregard for the victims of the regime. The last thing the Middle East need are more weapons. If EOS are mercenary with this particular technology, we must also question if their so-called civilian space program is also a military scam.”

“We simply don’t believe them when they say they don’t send weapons to Saudi – Who ever believed a arms dealer. They appear to have slipped round the Arms Trade Treaty”.

Letter from EOS to ASX justifying (not denying) their sale of weapons systems to Saudi Arabia and UAE — *Letter from EOS to ASX justifying (while appearing to deny) their sale of weapons systems to Saudi Arabia and UAE*

This letter was sent to shareholders in response to the media coverage and protests. It does not actually say that EOS does not sell to Saudi Arabia and UAE, rather it says that they sell to allies of the US and Australia, since US and Australia have a good human rights record. It is obviously a false assumption given the human rights abuses in Yemen. It is up to companies to make the moral decision.

At least 9 nations have already stopped transfers of weapons to Saudi Arabia including Germany, Denmark, Finland, Belgium and the UK. UK were forced to stop selling by their High Court.

*Protest banner at EOS Canberra. EOS claim their products are not weapons, while proudly expounding that they enhance lethality.*

At the EOS factory in Hume. Witnesses of death watch on as the “EOS executive” shows off the money the company makes from selling Extra Lethal weapon systems to the Saudi Arabia and UAE despite their regimes being accused of war crimes. The ‘General’ is very pleased to receive the goods. They are confident that they can continue their attacks on one of the poorest countries in the world, targeting school buses, hospitals and water infrastructure unfettered. They are both very proud of themselves for working out how to circumvent the Arms Trade Treaty and hide from public outrage to put profit before innocent civilian lives.

*Shahnaz Martin at the ACT Government Offices requests to see Kate Lundy or other representatives of ACT Government Defence Industry. ACT Government workers denied that it had anything to do with them.*

'Victims' of the arms trade with witnesses — *Witnesses mourn for the “victims” of the arms trade while the “weapons manufacturer” counts his money.*

'Victims' of the arms trade die-in in the foyer of the ACT Government offices — “Victims” of the arms trade die-in in the foyer of the ACT Government offices that deny involvement despite having a webpage promoting the arms trade industry and appointing Kate Lundy (board member of EOS) as Defence Ambassador to the Defence Industry Advisory Board.

Statue of Ethos outside the ACT Legislative Assembly — *The statue of Ethos outside the ACT Legislative Assembly represents the ethical basis of ACT Government.* *What would she think of Governments that support weapons manufacturers who sell to human rights abusers?*

EMAIL THE CEO OF THE WEAPONS COMPANY DIRECT

Write a letter to EOS via DoGooder — *Send a letter to the board and management of Electro Optic System EOS.*
They send weapons systems to UAE and Saudi Arabia despite the killing of Khashoggi and the disaster in Yemen. They know they are dealing with dictators. They need to know you know and that you don’t like it. Use our suggested letter or, even better, write your own (via DoGooder).

Check out our live feed and posts on twitter.com/wagepeace facebook.com/wagepeaceau

Media Release: Pop-up concert in Cairns – Protesting AFP’s training and arming of killer Militia in Indonesian West Papua

11:15am AFP Sheridan St/Airport Drive, Cairns, Friday

Gimuy (Cairns) Peace Pilgrims will hold a “pop-up” concert outside the Australian Federal Police on Sheridan St at 11:15am on Friday.

The Peace Pilgrims are protesting to expose the AFP for providing training and weapons, free of charge, to security forces in Indonesia. Those same forces are involved in killing civilians in West Papua.

Amnesty international has released a report showing 95 people have been killed, most of whom are Melanesian West Papuans – the First Nations people of Papua. Three sets of special forces are trained by the AFP: Brimob, D88 and Kopassus. All have been implicated in extrajudicial killings, other torture and extreme violence against victims — including children.

“The AFP are acting with no accountability.” said Margie Pestorius, Peace Pilgrim spokesperson for the event. “There is no independent monitoring. Australian government aid, paid for with our tax money, appears to be just creating more effective human rights violators. If the AFP and Department of Defence have nothing to hide, let’s see an independent evaluation into aid effectiveness and human rights risks in West Papua. So far there is nothing.”

Ms Pestorius said “for West Papuans, this AFP training and arming is just increasing the violence used to maintain control of rich gold and copper mines — wealth stolen from the melanesian West Papuans. Basically the AFP provide a service for foreign controlled corporations to protect their colonial mines and they train people to kill the First Nations people who own the land.”

“We’ll be holding a minute silence to remember those 95 civilians killed. And we’ll be highlighting to the AFP that many of those being killed are nonviolent political activists just like ourselves. One of those is Oen, aged 18 – Densus 88 & Indon Police shoot dead unarmed Nabire High school student. He was the same age as my son — who is also a political activist — and also my friend Pauli’s daughter.”

Spokesperson: Margaret Pestorius 0403214422

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES/ Video narrative

Photos post action here on Drop box

Media gathering from 11.15am Friday at AFP on Sheridan/Airport Drive.

Background

Indonesian Densus88 police shoot dead student, reports West Papua Media

Densus 88 & Indon Police shoot dead unarmed Nabire High school student

https://www.amnesty.org.au/indonesia-police-and-military-unlawfully-kill-almost-100-people-in-papua-in-eight-years-with-near-total-impunity/

Media Releases

‘Power and pain’: an Australian citizens’ encounter with the SAS

Three anti-war protesters sue Defence Force over alleged assault during protest

Scott asks about Secret SAS squad investigated for alleged rape and drowning threats

ASIS base protesters claim mistreatment in ‘Guantanamo Bay’ style

Anti-war protesters claim they were abused on Swan Island intelligence facility

Anti-war activists who broke into Swan Island military base to be charged.

See also a summary and commentary on the action at www.wagepeaceau.org/boeing-out-of-control

AUSTRALIANS TAKE ACTION TO STOP WAR

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SIGN THIS PETITION NOW TO #STOPARMINGSAUDI

EMAIL THE CEO OF THE WEAPONS COMPANY DIRECT

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