non-violent action at Pine Gap today : Melbourne Indymedia

CITIZENS' INSPECTORS ARRESTED AT PINE GAP

Two men attempting to conduct a second 'Citizens' Inspection' of Pine Gap spy base outside Alice Springs were arrested today after scaling a 9ft high barbed wire-topped fence. Edward Cranswick (Adelaide) and Terry Spackman (Cairns) were later released without charge.

Meanwhile, the first Citizens' Inspection team – Donna Mulhearn (Sydney), Bryan Law (Cairns), Adele Goldie and Jim Dowling (Brisbane) – face a potential seven years in prison. The group known as the Pine Gap 4 are charged under the untested Defence (Special Undertakings) Act of 1952 with trespassing on a declared 'Prohibited Area'.

Today's action was held by supporters of the group as a show of solidarity for their December 2005 inspection. A public meeting began at 2pm outside Pine Gap's front gate. Traditional land owner Mr Patrick Hayes addressed the crowd of more than 60 people, welcoming them to his place.

“I'm really happy to come out here,” Mr Hayes said. “This mob is a good mob. This is okay with me.”

Anti-nuclear campaigner Dr Helen Caldicott also addressed the gathering.

“We have got to stop this killing machine,” said Dr Caldicott, “for the sake of these children here today but also for future generations.

“Pine Gap plays a vital role in US wartime operations,” she said. “It has been used by the CIA for political intervention in Australia, and it allows the US to spy on half the world's population.

“Pine Gap is a prime target in the event of nuclear war. It will be one of the first to go, along with Alice Springs.”

Demonstrators attached cards to a large wooden cross with names of people killed in the Iraq war, and also names of people who have made a stand for peace. In the spirit of transforming rather than closing Pine Gap, a sign was hung renaming the facility “Pine Gap Terror Base”, and then amended to “Pine Gap Peace Base.”

Members of the crowd then formally approached head of security Mr Ken Napier to request an inspection. The request was denied. Terry Spackman and Edward Cranswick were not satisfied with this and began scaling the perimeter fence. They were warned that entering the fenced area would be trespassing by Northern Territory police, who did not attempt to stop them. Australian Federal Police were waiting on the other side and arrested them immediately. After some discussion, the two were released without charge to cheers and applause from the crowd.

The trial of the Pine Gap 4 continues in the Northern Territory Supreme Court on Monday June 4 from 10am.

For more information or high res photographs of the arrest, pls call Katie McRobert 0408 468 992