Thinking of my good friend John Dear as he faces court on September 6 in New Mexico for a nonviolent action he did last year with 8 others, when along with about 380 other groups around the US, they went to visit their local member. They brought a letter requesting that he agree to work to end the Iraq war, and were stopped in the elevator by security, who held them there for 7 hours. They spent the time reading the names of the Iraqi dead. Because of John's record, he faces one or two months in prison - for going to visit his local member! It's unbelievable what they won't allow in the US now in terms of dissent, and all this APEC stuff is making me realise it's happening here too. It's a kairos time in terms of political dissent in the West - we must hold our own, supporting one another, or we risk losing further civil liberties and freedoms we've previously taken for granted.So uphold John in your thoughts and prayers, please. He's a remarkable man of peace.
More info here.
3 comments:
Hi Chris,
II am producing a show for Triple J radio in Australia this week about non-violent versus violent/direct action/civil disobedience protests.
We are looking at speaking with activists from a diverse range of backgrounds and points of view on this important issue in the context of the APEC weekend.
Every protest I have covered as a reporter I have noticed a division within protestors about the best method to undertake….often when protests do get violent, there are many objectors from within the protestors.
The central question is whether direct action type protests can be effective or are inherently counter-productive. I am sure you would have some strong views on this topic and we would love to have you as our feature guest this Friday afternoon.
Please let me know if you this something you could go, because we would really appreciate your time.
Kind Regards
Luke Williams
btw my contact details are
williams.luke@abc.net.au
0419793247
So I finally get to be of some use to you. It turns out that all members who plead 'not guilty' were convicted with failure to comply with signs and regulations in a federal building.
Here is a link to an article that gives a good summary of what happened:
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/68043.html
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