Anti-war protesters receive maximum penalty for halting warship

Spacedaily ^ | 4/29/03 | AFP

[Brett66]

Anti-war protesters receive maximum penalty for halting warship

SYDNEY (AFP) Apr 30, 2003

Eight anti-war activists were fined 440 dollars (270 US) each Wednesday over a spectacular protest that delayed the departure of an Australian warship bound for the Iraq war.

Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court Magistrate Ross Pogson imposed the maximum penalty but said it was inadequate.

The eight were part of a Greenpeace protest in which two activists clambered up the sides of the frigate HMAS Sydney and unfurled a "no-war" banner in a demonstration that brought the vessel to a halt on April 9.

The two managed to attach themselves to the hull of the warship with climbing equipment, embarrassing Australian authorities.

All eight, Geoffrey Nimmo, Nicholas Clyde, Megan Ivory, Jan Madsen, Logan Petley, Sarah Roberts, Philip Wollam and Michael Rosato, pleaded guilty to wilfully preventing the free passage of a vessel.

Nimmo read a statement to the court on behalf of the group saying he and some of the others had served in the armed forces and the action had targeted the government, not the troops.

"Our action was based on respect for international law over and above unilateral action," Nimmo told the court.

Defence barrister Grant Brady said all activists were full-time workers trained in either climbing or diving so there was no safety risk in the protest.

"Each and every defendant believed firmly ... that the actions of the Australian government in sending troops to Iraq was an action that was without UN sanction and therefore illegal," Brady said.

Magistrate Pogson said the protesters may well have had significant community support for their cause but their actions would have been offensive to any fair-minded person.

He said the maximum penalty was inadequate because it did not convey the seriousness of the offence.

[MEG33]

I read about this protest..very hurtful to their troops. The fine is a slap on the wrist.

[buffyt]

Did they protest when Clinton was the one doing the bombing??????????????

[Valin]

The eight were part of a Greenpeace protest in which two activists clambered up the sides of the frigate HMAS Sydney and unfurled a "no-war" banner in a demonstration that brought the vessel to a halt on April 9.

Personally speaking I think the ship should have just kept on going.

[ArmedGeek]

I wish someone would explain to these people what 'unilateral' means.

[lowbridge]

"Each and every defendant believed firmly ... that the actions of the Australian government in sending troops to Iraq was an action that was without UN sanction and therefore illegal,"

Did Greenpeace get UN sanction to do this? No? Then, what they did was therefore illegal.

[tdscpa]

Looks to me like the navy missed a good practice opportunity.

[sasportas]

It wouldn't bode well for anti-war groups to stop a warship in the US! Big no no. Rest assured they wouldn't get just a slap on the wrist like they did in Australia.

[Bonaparte]

Australia simply refuses to punish crime anymore. That and disarming their citizenry has caused their crime rate to skyrocket in recent years.

[MEG33]

I was keeping up with Australia pretty well before the war..There are some real left wingers writing nonsense..The Australian has a more centrist stance.Lots of starry eyed ideas floating around,though.

[MetalHeadConservative35]

It wouldn't bode well for anti-war groups to stop a warship in the US! Big no no. Rest assured they wouldn't get just a slap on the wrist like they did in Australia.

if it happened here there would be alot of bruised protesters you know just as well as i that our service men and women dont take crap like this lightly

[El Gato]

The eight were part of a Greenpeace protest in which two activists clambered up the sides of the frigate HMAS Sydney and unfurled a "no-war" banner in a demonstration that brought the vessel to a halt on April 9.

Digger squids should have used fire hoses to wash away that filth, an if that proved insufficient, some Steyer-AUGs. (5.56 bullpup assault rifle) or if like our ships they aren't equiped with the latest small arms, FN/FALs.

[winner3000]

Can someone tell me why Greenpeace does not get sued for using some of the funds they raise (most people would think they are helping the environment by sending money to them) to fund activities that have nothing to do with the environment?

[Bonaparte]

I used to like reading Gerard Jackson in the New Australian.

Index Of Australian Newspapers Online

Australian Conservative Commentary

[MEG33]

Thanks!

[McGavin999]

Well, publishing their names will help. I'm sure the guys will want to look them up when they come home from the war.

[WaterDragon]

It certainly should be embarrassing to Australia that these clowns were able to get away with that stunt.

And they did get away with it because of the ridiculous penalty and because they were allowed to use the courtroom as a bully pulpit to justify their atrocious actions.