the bastards have started !!!

This from Indymedia Sydney:

US Peace Activist to be Deported
by ada 2:05am Sun Sep 11 '05 (Modified on 6:12am Sun Sep 11 '05) article#58992

Media release:
US Peace activist detained as "threat to national security"

Scott Parkin, a Texas based peace activist was detained by Federal police at approximately midday Saturday. He was en route to give a workshop about the progress and success of the peace movement in the US and companies profiting from the Iraq war.

Scott is a community college instructor who teaches history in Houston.

He has been detained by Federal Police at the request of DIMA and was held by Federal Police at Carlton West police station before being moved to Melbourne Custody Centre on Londsdale st. The reason given for his detention is that he poses "a threat to national security." It is understood that he has had his visa revoked at the Minister's discretion.

Scott was contacted by ASIO by phone on Wednesday and asked to attend a voluntary interview to which he declined. Scott participated in a non-violent street theatre action outside US corporation Halliburton's headquarters in Sydney during protests against the Forbes meeting on August 31st.

Liz Thompson from the National Anti-Deportation Alliance (NADA) said "This is a major attack on dissent, free speech and the anti-war movement. Scott's detention prevented him from sharing his experiences of working for peace in the US with other local activists. This appears to be an attempt not just to intimidate Scott, but all those working for social justice and progressive social change more broadly. "

Ms Thompson said "These actions seem to contradict Philip Ruddock's denial that Australia is turning into a police state. The Federal Government already has extraordinary powers to silence dissent. This should be a warning to everyone about the greater powers that ASIO may soon be granted."

On Thursday John Howard announced control orders and preventative detention measures giving the AFP and ASIO powers to control people who have not been convicted of any crime.

Scott Parkin has not been charged with any offense.

It is understood Scott will be forcibly deported on Monday.

Scott is a PEACE activist, you control-freak idiots !!!

He's teaches NONVIOLENCE, you fascist bastards !!!

Bloody hell !!! What is going on in Australia !?!?!

Is this the beginning of the end for dissent in Australia ?

It appears he was arrested only an hour before he was to be a keynote speaker at this NONVIOLENCE event:

Bringing Down The Pillars

people power strategies against war and capitalism

Saturday 10 September
1.00 - 5.00 pm
Irene warehouse
5 Pitt Street
Brunswick VIC

This cross-movement workshop and forum will be a chance for Melbourne activists to hear about and discuss emerging trends in organising for grassroots direct action campaigns.

Scott Parkin, an experienced community organiser, activist and trainer from Houston, Texas works with Houston Global Awareness, campaigning to get the corporate war profiteer Halliburton out of Iraq.

Houston Global Awareness are using a "People Power" strategy of direct action and popular education to exact social, political and economic costs on Halliburton for their operations in Iraq. In the spirit of the Serbian Otpor! movement, privatisation resisters in Bolivia and the Filipino "People Power" movements, Houston activists are using community dialogue, teach-ins, film screenings, counter-recruitment and nonviolent direct action to stop the war profiteers. The strategy targets key pillars of support in the occupation of Iraq.

Scott and local activists will discuss tools for strategic organising, including SmartMeme's "Battle of the Story", an activist framing strategy for media and messaging.

Presented by Forest Action Trust, Pt'chang Nonviolence Training Project, and Friends of the Earth Melbourne.

I'm very concerned about what's happening in this country right now.

Sydney indymedia update and CALL TO ACTION here >>>

(Some emphasis in the quotes is mine)
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