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Anti-war activists who broke into Swan Island military base to be charged Anti-war activists who broke into Swan Island military base to be charged
(about 1 hour later)
Victoria police have arrested eight protesters who broke into a “top secret” military base on Swan Island.Victoria police have arrested eight protesters who broke into a “top secret” military base on Swan Island.
The protesters, part of a group called the Swan Island Peace Convergence, entered the training facility run by the Australian Defence Force on the island near Queenscliff on Wednesday night. A spokeswoman for Victoria police confirmed the eight would be charged with commonwealth trespass.The protesters, part of a group called the Swan Island Peace Convergence, entered the training facility run by the Australian Defence Force on the island near Queenscliff on Wednesday night. A spokeswoman for Victoria police confirmed the eight would be charged with commonwealth trespass.
The group have been blockading the entrance of the ADF base since Tuesday, demonstrating against Australia’s military involvement in the Middle East. In a statement the group said activists had entered the “top secret Swan Island military base” to “nonviolently disrupt preparations for the imminent war in Iraq”.The group have been blockading the entrance of the ADF base since Tuesday, demonstrating against Australia’s military involvement in the Middle East. In a statement the group said activists had entered the “top secret Swan Island military base” to “nonviolently disrupt preparations for the imminent war in Iraq”.
The activists claim that four of the protesters were first detained by SAS personnel and allege they were mistreated. The defence department has been contacted for a response.The activists claim that four of the protesters were first detained by SAS personnel and allege they were mistreated. The defence department has been contacted for a response.
Simon Moyle, one of the activists arrested, told Guardian Australia three groups of protesters had been walking around the military base when they were discovered about 7.30am.Simon Moyle, one of the activists arrested, told Guardian Australia three groups of protesters had been walking around the military base when they were discovered about 7.30am.
Moyle and three others were arrested by Victoria police; the other two groups of two were first discovered by the SAS personnel, he said.Moyle and three others were arrested by Victoria police; the other two groups of two were first discovered by the SAS personnel, he said.
It is the fifth year the group has run a week-long blockade and this year’s protest focused on Australia’s new engagement in fighting Islamic State.It is the fifth year the group has run a week-long blockade and this year’s protest focused on Australia’s new engagement in fighting Islamic State.
The department of defence confirmed to Guardian Australia that defence personnel detained four of the protesters.
“The Department of Defence respects the democratic right of all Australians to express their views, provided this is done in a peaceful and law-abiding way,” it said in a statement.
“Under the Defence Act, ADF personnel have the powers to detain persons they suspect are trespassing on Defence land.”
The spokesman declined to comment further as the matter is with Victoria police.
“There are clear alternatives to bombing Isis,” said a protester, Fiona Taylor. “Blocking oil supply channels, having arms embargos and support of a regional solution all will cripple Isis without breeding another generation of militant extremists.”“There are clear alternatives to bombing Isis,” said a protester, Fiona Taylor. “Blocking oil supply channels, having arms embargos and support of a regional solution all will cripple Isis without breeding another generation of militant extremists.”
Protesters have gained access to the base before. In 2010 four activists got inside and hit an emergency stop button on a satellite dish and blockaded the front gate, according to Moylan. Other protesters who gained access last year were also arrested.Protesters have gained access to the base before. In 2010 four activists got inside and hit an emergency stop button on a satellite dish and blockaded the front gate, according to Moylan. Other protesters who gained access last year were also arrested.