Updates & Events
How does Waihopai involve NZ in America’s wars?
Waihopai’s “Big Ears” cover a vast area of the Pacific. Although Iraq is on the other side of the world, the US military/intelligence network that is waging that war is global and depends on global facilities. In Afghanistan, the US military is heavily dependent on electronic intelligence (and mistakes in that intelligence have led to the deaths of innocent children, instead of the intended “terrorist” targets).
Afghan villagers mourn at the graves of children killed by US forces as a result of faulty electronic intelligence
If New Zealanders disagree with US policies and warmongering, then Waihopai is located right here to monitor our own international e-mails and phone calls and report directly to Big Brother at our expense – because we pay for Waihopai with millions of our tax dollars every year. The Bush Administration has pronounced Intelligence to be the key component of all the wars that it is fighting, or planning to fight, throughout the world. Thus, much more so than any token commitment of the SAS or a frigate, the Waihopai spybase is New Zealand’s key contribution to all these American wars.
- Waihopai does not operate in the national interests of New Zealand or our neighbours.
- Basically it is a foreign spybase on NZ soil, being paid for by NZ taxpayers and directly involving us in America’s wars that have no end.
- Waihopai must be closed.
- Anti-Bases Campaign, 30 April 2009
Ploughshares prepare tender documents for Waihopai ‘renovations‘
ANZAC Ploughshares are preparing to submit a tender for renovation work required at GCSB’s facility in the Waihopai Valley.
The tender, advertised on the government’s electronic tendering website, says the contractor is required to:
Build new office space (7 offices occupying 130 sq M) within the existing buildings using predominately aluminum joinery and building materials designed to reduce external noise from entering office space and noise caused by reverberation effects from within office space.
Construction of office space is planned to start 1 July to be completed by 31 July 2009.
The work is expected to include the following:
- Some demolition
- Building construction (tilt panels, concrete placement)
- Office construction (internal to existing building)
- Joinery (Aluminum, timber)
- Painting and decorating
- Elements of pre-fabrication
The Ploughshares are confident their tender will be successful as it is likely to be the lowest tender price (free) and because it focuses on the demolition aspects of the work required – for which members of Ploughshares have a proven track record at the Waihopai spy station.
“While we would never claim to be experts, we do believe Ploughshares groups throughout the world are industry leaders in the renovation and conversion of these types of facilities to more useful purposes.” said a spokesperson.
“We have gifted painters keen to add their touch to the buildings as part of the contract requirements. Our painting team are thinking the place would look nice in fluorescent pink – with murals and images inspired by artists like Francisco Goya, Hannah Hoch, John Heartfield, Max Ernst, Otto Dix, James Boswell, A. Lois White and Tom Mutch.”
“While the timeframes provided in the tender documents seem quite tight, we actually think we can have it done ‘by lunchtime’.”
Blenheim, 17 and 18 September 2008
“On 30 April, Christian activists Sam, Peter and Adi deflated the protective dome covering a satellite dish at the Waihopai spy base near Blenheim. This Christian non-violent direct action was to protest against NZ’s involvement in America’s war in Iraq. On the 18th of September, they will be in court for their depositions hearing where they will enter a plea in relation to the two criminal charges they are facing. Your prayers and support are appreciated.”
- On Wednesday, 17 September * 6pm – evening meal at St Mary’s Presbytery, 61 Maxwell Road * 7.30pm – ‘Swords into ploughshares: defence bases and idolatry’ discussion forum, Saint Mary’s Church foyer. Overnight accommodation at St Mary’s Parish Hall (mattresses only provided)
- On Thursday, 18 September * 10am – depositions hearing, Courtroom No 1, Blenheim District Court, 58 Alfred Street * 1pm to 2pm – sausage sizzle and cake stall to raise money for the reconstruction of Iraq (target:USD$800,000,000,000) at the Blenheim War Memorial, opposite the court house.
A printable poster with the Blenheim events is available here, for more information contact Adi, tel 06 364 8966 or email.
Wellington, Thursday 18 September 2008
From 1pm to 2.30pm – peaceful presence at the GCSB HQ, Freyberg Building, corner Aitken Street and Mulgrave Street (opposite Archives NZ), with music, and more! All welcome, come along and support Ploughshares non-violent / faith-based kaupapa; for more information contact the Wellington Ploughshares Support Group.
Auckland, Thursday 18 September
From 12.30pm to 2pm – peaceful presence outside the US Consulate, Citibank Building, 23 Customs Street East (corner of Commerce Street). All welcome! come along and support Ploughshares non-violent / faith-based kaupapa, for more information contact the Auckland Ploughshares Support Group.
* Thursday 18 September is the date set for the Depositions Hearing – this is where the Police present their evidence and witnesses to the judge and defence. One day has been set as the time required for this hearing – so supporters are encouraged to try and attend as this is one of the few chances we will have to show that a significant proportion of the public support the action and draw attention to the issues it raised (NZ’s small but significant contribution to the War With No End, US occupation of Iraq, US global military and economic hegemony, etc.). Activities are being planned for the night before and marae-style accommodation has been organised. Speakers and a vigil will be organised outside the Blenheim Courthouse – email us (ploughshares08@gmail.com) if you plan to drive or want to hitch a ride to get there.
* The Mega Sausage-Sizzle & Cake Stall organised by Adi last week to fund the reconstruction of Iraq failed to reach the US$80billion target. While disappointed, Adi was encouraged by the well-behaved crowd of supporters who turned out to help eat the food. Photos available here thanks to Peace Movement Aotearoa. A fundraiser at the depositions hearing will aim to make up the shortfall and reach the US$80billion target.
* Many thanks to Paul Frazier from Syracuse, New York who generously gave his time to input email addresses to this mailing list database from the messages of support on the Waihopai ANZAC Ploughshares website. Welcome to those who haven’t received one of these updates previously – they seem to come out about once or twice a month. See the link at the bottom of this email if you would prefer not to receive occassional updates.
* We have almost secured enough loans to cover the publishing costs for Ciaron O’Reilly’s book “Bomber Grounded, Runway Closed: Prison Letters & Court Notes of a Gulf War Resister”. We hope to sell the book internationally as a fundraiser for future Ploughshares activities and thanks to the generosity of supporters we have a number of loans pledged ranging from $400 to $2,000. Lenders can let us know when they would like the money repaid – we are hoping to have covered costs within two years but if this is too long then let me know. The text and images have been received from Ciaron and the book is currently being redesigned – if anyone has images you think might be appropriate for the cover or inside let us know. And if you are friends with Martin Sheen or another celebrity who might write a new Foreword (and potentially broaden the appeal of the book to wider audience) that would be great too.
If I had a sickle: Public talk and film screening on Saturday evening, 26 July at 6:30pm at St Johns Church (corner of Willis and Dixon Streets), Wellington. The public talk features Adrian Leason, one of the courageous ANZAC plowshares, speaking about his role in deflating the Waihopai spy base dome. The film is ‘Islands of the Empire’ the 1985 Vanguard film by Alister Barry, Rod Prosser and Russell Campbell that explores the military relationship of US and NZ.
Depositions Hearing: Lawyers for the ANZAC Waihopai Ploughshares defendents unsuccessfully tried to have the depositions hearing shifted to Wellington to reduce travel costs – but this was opposed by the Crown and denied by the judge.
“Bomber Grounded, Runway Closed” – book reprint: Thanks to the many people who responded. So far we have $7,000 in loans pledged toward the $12,000 required to reprint this book as a fundraiser for Ploughshares. Loans of $100, $500, $1,000 or $2,000 would be gratefully received.
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Update 21 July
ANZUS Ploughshares Book Re-Print Proposal
As another way of promoting and explaining the praxis of Ploughshares actions supporters are interested in reprinting Ciaron O’Reilly’s 1994 book “Bomber Grounded, Runway Closed: Prison Notes of a Gulf War Resister”. You can find book reviews if you Google the title. The book is now out of print but Ciaron has the layout as a digital file and is willing to write an updated Foreword – Moana Cole would write one too. The original production was 2,000 copies of the 255 page book. To print 2,500 copies in New Zealand it will cost about NZ$12,000. If we can sell them for $12-15+pp each – that will eventually raise about $30,000 for further Ploughshares stories (like a film and/or book about the ANZAC Waihopai Ploughshares) and the process of PS story-telling will continue.
Both Ciaron and Moana are very supportive of the idea: “It’s such a good practical ‘how-to’ handbook for organising for folks, as well as a good read and still relevant analysis.” – Moana
So, if we can find 5 people who have $2,000 that they could provide as a medium-term loan – hopefully 2-3 years or less – then we will add it to the $2,000 already pledged for this purpose and we can get a new edition of the book printed and distributed. If this might be you, please email us: ploughshares08@gmail.com and we’ll start talking about how to make it happen.
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Update 11.00am Sat 21 June
Sam, Adi and Peter successfully negotiated changes in their bail conditions so that they no longer have to report every two days to a local Police station – and more significantly – they have no restrictions on associating with one another. Subsequently the three men are looking forward to being reunited in the next few weeks.
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Update 11.00am Mon 5 May
Sam, Adi and Peter have been granted bail on the condition that they do not associate with one another and stay away from military bases.
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Update 3.00pm Sat 3 May:
This is a call-out to get as many supporters as possible to Blenheim on Monday to support the three Waihopai ANZAC Ploughshares activists who were arrested for deflating one of the domes.
They will appear in court at 10am on Monday. We will be meeting at Seymour Square at 9.00am for a vigil and speeches. At 10am we will then continue the vigil outside court and go in to support and stand in solidarity with the arrestees. After court there will be a march to the rotunda at the corner of High and Market Streets where we will leaflet the public. Finally there will be a vigil at the Waihopai Spybase at 2.00pm, the scene of the real crime. If you can make any or all of these solidarity actions that would be great.
At least three car loads, but hopefully more, will be traveling up from Christchurch and a number of people will be traveling down from the North Island to show their support and solidarity for this action.
This is an opportunity to expose Waihopai for what it is – a foreign spybase on NZ soil that directly involves us in America’s wars. It is equally important that Sam, Adrian and Peter who took the action know that they have supporters.
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Make tea, not war!
Addington Womens’ Revolutionary Craft Circle invites women to join a solidarity action in support of ANZAC Ploughshares on Monday at 10am outside the US military base at Harewood. This is a solidarity action to coincide with the Ploughshares arrestees’ next court appearance. Tea, fruit and biscuits will be served and the area transformed into a community space for morning tea. We will have a card of support available to sign for Ploughshares arrestees, Peter, Adrian and Sam. This is a child friendly action. Meet at the Totem Pole, Christchurch Airport, at 9:45am.
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Update 3.00pm Fri 2 May:
Police have confirmed they will not be laying sabotage charges against Sam, Peter and Adi. The three men have been charged with intentional damage and entering a building to commit a crime – they will also face a charge of intentional damage to a fence on a vineyard neighbouring Waihopai spy base.
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Update 3.00pm Thu 1 May:
Sam, Peter and Adi are being held in separate cells at Blenheim Police Station. They are in high spirits and are enjoying their fellowship with the Police staff supervising them. Lawyers representing the three men has been in regular contact with them and will travel to Blenheim on Monday for the second bail hearing.
Hundreds of messages of support and donations from members of the public endorsing the action have already been received.
There is wide interest in the Ploughshares message from both the Christian family and wider population – Ploughshares supporters have had many opportunities to talk with others interested in a faith of love in action.
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Update 6.00pm 30 April:
Sam, Peter and Adi have been denied bail and will remain in custody until at least Monday. Supporters are encouraged to attend the next hearing at Blenheim District Court on Monday… and to leave messages on this site. More details to come.
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