Posted on 06/13/2005 7:52:41 PM PDT by naturalman1975
PROTESTS designed to disrupt a joint US-Australian military exercise in Queensland were a sign of growing concern among Australians about military build-ups, Greenpeace said today.
Ten people were arrested at the Shoalwater Bay military training area near Rockhampton yesterday after allegedly attempting to disrupt a joint United States and Australian military exercise.
Six protesters carrying makeshift coffins were arrested after allegedly scaling a fence to conduct a memorial service. Another four were later arrested for blocking access to the military base.
Police said the group had been charged with trespassing on commonwealth land.
The Talisman Sabre military exercise began at the site yesterday.
Greenpeace nuclear disarmament campaigner James Courtney said there was growing concern in Australia over such joint exercises.
"There are growing concerns about the power that the US Government has over our policy and increasing concerns that the United States is running out of training facilities around the world," Mr Courtney said.
"That's only going to increase and we are going to see a lot more of that over the next few years with our involvement in missile defence, son of star wars and increasing inter-operability of our two forces."
The group arrested in Rockhampton have all been bailed to appear before Rockhampton Magistrates Court on June 27.
Police said today there had been no reports of any further protests outside the base.
The Greenpeace yacht Vega was in Brisbane today, but Mr Courtney refused to reveal whether the vessel would be going to the Rockhampton area.
He said the Vega was on a peace tour up the east coast of Australia.
"We are concerned about dangerous new developments in the weapons doctrine and we are here in Brisbane to have a public meeting to inform the local community about the latest changes to US nuclear weapons policy," he said.
Where the coffins they were carrying for some endangered animals or where they showing their true leftist roots?
Greenpeace? Do they still exist? I thought they all got high and went away...
"Greenpeace? Do they still exist? I thought they all got high and went away..."
They are kept going by their experiments to cross-pollinate marijuana with mint plants to produce mentholated pot.
How can you "interfere" with a military excercise unless you are armed. Otherwise you are just "one more target".
Or am I missing something ?
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