Billboards going up, lawsuit filed, David Hicks home by Christmas? : Melbourne Indymedia

Dear friends,

Bet you didn't know you had it in you, but together GetUp members have raised over $150,000 in average donations of $50 each, to put the message to our Federal Government ministers that it's time to bring David Hicks home. Congratulations and thank you to every person who's chipped in to make our voices heard.

This week, our first prime site became available and with your donations we put up a massive, back-lit billboard on the approach to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Over 43,000 motor vehicles drive past it every day according to the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority. If you don't live in Sydney or the billboard photos haven't come through in your email, you can still check out the pictures on our website.

Of course, this is just the beginning: carbon-neutral mobile billboards are currently in production and will be hitting the streets soon, and more sites are being reserved in prominent locations as soon as they become available. But GetUp has also come up against a surprise dose of corporate cold feet in the last two weeks, with some companies refusing to approve any kind of political message. Thankfully, you don't have to wait any longer to see a message for justice near you - you can order your own Bring David Hicks Home sign from GetUp free, right now. They are weather proof and great for roofs, fences and windows.

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/BillboardsForJustice

You've done so much to turn the tide in this case - and now Liberal backbenchers and our own Courts are stepping up in a big way. Four Coalition MPs spoke up in the party room this week to demand David Hicks be brought home and placed under a control order, arguing he will never be given a fair trial in Guantanamo Bay. In fact, the Federal Government is now being sued by David's Australian legal team for refusing to give proper assistance to an Australian citizen abroad - with the Federal Court set to hear the urgent case next Friday, December 15.

Finally, this Saturday December 9, you can join thousands of Australians nationwide to mark the fifth year of David's detention without trial. Peaceful protests are being coordinated by a coalition of action and human rights groups including Fair Go for David and Amnesty International, with key speakers at each event including Major Mori in Melbourne. Order your own Bring David Hicks Home sign and check out the details of a gathering near you.

http://www.getup.org.au/campaign/BillboardsForJustice

Thank you for taking action,
The GetUp team

PS: Great news! GetUp was shortlisted for the Human Rights Commission Human Rights Award today. Congratulations go to the Edmund Rice Centre for being awarded the honours.