Webdiary - Founded and Inspired by Margo Kingston

In 2005 the Australian government dramatically expanded the security powers of many state agencies as part of the “war on terror”. The new sedition laws, control orders, and secret pre-emptive detention all seem major threats to civil liberties, dissent, and (dare I say it?) democracy in this country.

Since joining with Christians Against ALL Terrorism I've gotten a picture of how deeply Christians are discriminated against and put down by people I'll describe here as secular lefties. In the past twelve years I've found, in purely practical terms, that communities of faith are much more likely to provide people who'll act against injustice than are communities of secular lefties.  Certainly our support from some Christian communities has been such as to nurture, sustain and develop our project, while secular political groups including the Labor, Green and Democrats parties have been at best hesitant and partial.  

In May and June 2007 the Gandhian/activist wing of the Australian Peace Movement is going to produce two nonviolent action programs which promote and develop a grass-roots resistance to war.

Our trial is set down to commence on 29 May 2007. I'll be acknowledging all relevant facts, and availing myself of the defence of necessity under Section 10.3 of the Commonwealth Criminal Code.

"After three years of military engagement in Iraq, 2,314 US soldiers had been killed. The equivalent figure for Vietnam is 1,864. The death toll in Vietnam really accelerated from the fourth year onwards. There are significant differences between Iraq and Vietnam, just as there are certain similarities. What kind of lessons are available in comparing the two events?" Bryan Law

"A Christian affinity group of six people managed to get four members undetected to the “man-proof” perimeter fences twenty metres from the radomes of Pine Gap. Two of those (Jim Dowling and Adele Goldie) passed through both “man-proof” fences and scaled a building right in the heart of the most secret and sacred US war-fighting base in Australia. Peace friends." Bryan Law

"After two vehicles had gone Adele and I made the last 100 meter dash through the open floodlit area to the outer security fence. As Adele hung our banner – WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? YOUR BROTHER’S BLOOD CRIES OUT TO ME FROM THE EARTH (Genesis 4:10) - on the fence, I placed Jessica’s beautiful barbed wire crucifix against the fence. Then I cut through the fence. We climbed through and I cut the second fence about ten meters away. Again we climbed through and realised all the power of the greatest empire in history could not stop two untrained, unfunded, unarmed Christian pacifists from entering one of their most important and secure bases - even after we had told them we were coming." Jim Dowling.

"Christians Against All Terrorism (CAAT) cannot distinguish between the terrorist acts of a suicide bomber in Baghdad, or of a jet bomber in Fallujah. In both cases innocents are murdered and maimed for a political objective. We believe there is a better way. Christ told us to love our enemies and our neighbours, forgive sinners their trespasses, and believe in redemption. Pope Paul VI said 'If you want peace, work for justice'." Bryan Law

"From 16 November this year the Australian government becomes entitled to give three years notice of termination of the Pine Gap treaty with the US, at any time. The goal of our affinity group at this important time is to build public awareness of the goals and operation of Pine Gap so that a future Australian government will terminate its lease at the earliest opportunity." Bryan Law