Credit: DEREK FLYNN/Marlborough Express
It came as quite a shock when NZers collectively learnt that we as a country were fully integrated into the most sophisticated listening and surveillance intelligence gathering network on our planet.
This had all been accomplished with out our elected representatives knowledge - in that nothing came before our parliament where we as a people discussed and debated the need to be involved at a scale such as this.
Essentially every phone call, fax, email, text and now skype communication is funneled through this listening outpost where specific dictionaries listen in for 'key words'. When these 'words' are picked up instantly recording and tracing elements kick in, that electronically home in on the caller and or receiver and in moments you are on file and an investigation can be then launched if deemed a security risk. This is all tied into the National Security Agency situated in Maryland in the USA on a 22 acre site covered in buildings full of computer storage.
The name of this system is called Echelon and NZ is a junior partner in what is an English speaking spying system comprised of America, Australia, Britain, Canada and NZ . When the European Parliament heard about it they were outraged.
New Zealander Nicky Hager is an author and investigative journalist, who writes about issues involving intelligence networks, environmental issues and politics. He has degrees in physics and philosophy and has been described as "New Zealand's leading investigative journalist.
Author of Secret Power: New Zealand's Role in the International Spy Network, Secrets and Lies
Listen to this interview with me back in January 2009.
http://www.holisticliving.co.nz/members/holisticliving/blog/VIEW/00000010/00000083/GreenplanetFM-interviews-Nicky-Hager-author-and-investigative-journalist.html#00000083
Waihopai Ploughshares Appeal8 December 2011 These Christians are superb examples of walking their belief.
This appeal is available online at http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/waihopai-ploughshares-appeal/273935145987195
On 30 April 2008, a Christian Ploughshares team - Adrian Leason, Father Peter Murnane and Sam Land - entered the grounds of the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) / US National Security Agency spy base at Waihopai and punctured the dome covering one of the two antenna to disable and draw attention to the role of the base - part of the US governments global spy network - in the 'war on terrorism'. They then built a shrine and prayed for the victims of the war with no end while waiting to be arrested.
In March 2010, after an eight day trial, the Waihopai Ploughshares were acquitted by the jury. In response, in October 2010, the Attorney-General lodged a civil claim for $1.2 million, on behalf of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB). In August 2011, following a hearing in the High Court in Wellington, Associate Judge David Gendall issued a summary judgement awarding $1.2 million damages in the government's favour, as well as court costs. A more detailed chronology of the events leading to that point is included below.
Since then, the Waihopai Ploughshares have lodged an appeal against the summary judgement - if the decision stands, it will be a major setback in terms of defences available in future for people acting on their conscience and taking non-violent direct action against military or signals intelligence bases.
Waihopai Ploughshares are now fundraising for the $6,000 required for the court fees so that the appeal can be heard. If the fee can be raised, the appeal will most likely proceed in March 2012.
This message, sent on behalf of Waihopai Ploughshares, is to ask you to consider contributing towards the cost of the court fees for the appeal. If you can assist, you can make a donation as follows:
- by cheque: send your cheque, payable to Peace Movement Aotearoa, to Peace Movement Aotearoa, PO Box 9314, Wellington 6141, with your name and address so we can send you a receipt, and a note saying your donation is for Waihopai Plougshares; or
- by internet banking or direct credit: make your donation to account 02 0536 0323908 08 - please put your name or organisation and Ploughshares in the payee details / identifier section so we know who it is from and what it is for, and email pma@xtra.co.nz with your physical address so we can send your receipt.
Waihopai Ploughshares: chronology of events On 30 April 2008, the Waihopai Ploughshares - Adrian Leason, Fr Peter Murnane and Sam Land - entered the grounds of the NZ Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) / US National Security Agency spy base at Waihopai and punctured the dome covering one of the two antenna to disable and draw attention to the role of the base - part of the US governments global spy network - in the 'war on terrorism'. They then built a shrine and prayed for the victims of the war with no end while waiting to be arrested. Their statement is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/plshares.htm
The Waihopai Ploughshares trial started on 8 March 2010. Their defence was based on 'claim of right' (widely misreported by the media as a necessity defence) and on 17 March 2010, the trial jury acquitted the three defendants. An overview of the trial with links to more information is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/plupdate.htm
On 7 April 2010, the Attorney-General announced that the government would not appeal the verdict, but was considering suing Waihopai Ploughshares for (at that time) $1.1 million.
In October 2010, the Attorney-General lodged a civil claim for $1.2 million, on behalf of the GSCB - see for example, '$1.2m Crown seeking includes beer, pies' at http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10679078
On 3 November 2010, the government announced that it would be limiting the 'claim of right' defence so that it could not be used in similar circumstances in future.
On 8 August 2011, there was an all-day hearing in the High Court as to whether the government would be awarded summary judgement of $1.2 million damages for the costs of repair of the spy base dome (and food and drink for the workers who repaired it) or whether the matter would proceed to trial - the decision hinged around whether or not the judge considered the three defendants had a chance of successfully arguing a case against the awarding of damages to the government. A brief overview of the defence case, which was based in part on the defences of necessity and self-defence / defence of another and in part on ex turpi causa, is available at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=217666044947439
Associate Judge David Gendall's decision was released on 31 August 2011. His judgement was that the defence did not have a case, and that summary judgement of $1.2 million damages was therefore awarded in the government's favour, as well as court costs. The media release from Adrian Leason in response is available at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=228892570491453
Waihopai Ploughshares are now appealing the decision if the decision stands, it will be a major setback in terms of defences available in future for people acting on their conscience and taking non-violent direct action against military or signals intelligence bases.
If you would like a copy of the High Court decision, please contact Peace Movement Aotearoa email pma@xtra.co.nz
This chronology is available at http://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/waihopai-ploughshares-chronology-of-events-leading-to-wednesdays-decision/229649693749074
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Peace Movement Aotearoa
the national networking peace organisation
PO Box 9314, Wellington 6141, Aotearoa New Zealand
Tel +64 4 382 8129, fax 382 8173 email pma@xtra.co.nz
Website - http://www.converge.org.nz/pma
http://www.facebook.com/PeaceMovementAotearoa
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>> war on terrorism? war is terrorism <<
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