Nonviolent Resistance in Australia to U.S. War on Afghanistan

international | anti-war / imperialism | other press

Tuesday July 05, 2011 12:23

by Solidarity

Nonviolent Resistance to Operation Talisman Sabre 2011 and U.S./Australian war on Afghanistan

Every two years, 20,000 U.S. miitary arrive for live fire joint exercises "Operation Talisman Sabre" with approx 7,000 Australian troops, primarily based in central Queensland but also involving bases throughoout Australia and the U.S. Australia has a long history of seeking peace and security in the service of empire - British & U.S.. This has taken Australians to Aotearoa, Sudan, South Africa, Gallipoi, Malaysia, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan to kill and die in imperial wars that hav nothing to do with the defense of Australia. OperatiOn Talisman Sabre has become a time of focus for nonviolent resistance to U.S./Australian War on Afghanistan. Some folks have travelled to Rockhampton, central Quensland to take action, while others are focused on an SAS Base at Swan sland near Melbourne.

Here are some images and reports of resistance to OTS 09......
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/93100?search_text=talis...sabre

Followed by reports on resistance during OTS 11

Swan Island Peace Convergence Day 2: Four activists arrested blockading base

Anti war activists have geared up their protest by blocking access to the secretive Swan Island military base near Queenscliff at 6am today (Tuesday 5 July 2011). Four protesters have already been arrested this morning as about 40 local and visiting activists converged in the small town in protest against Australia’s continuing participation in the US-lead war in Afghanistan.Co-organiser Jessica Morrison said many activists were prepared to be arrested for the cause.

“We are fully prepared to be arrested using non-violent civil disobedience,” Ms Morrison said. ”The majority of Australians agree that our troops must come home, but to date our government has been ignoring us. We cannot stand by while Australians and innocent Afghan citizens are killed by our military”.
PHOTOGRAPHS & ARTICLES CONTINUED HERE........
http://indymedia.org.au/2011/07/05/swan-island-peace-co...-base