Bryan died in 2013 in March so this site has become an archive site where we are keeping the work of his later life.
Bryan Law, centre, partly obscured, awaits the back-hoe at the Daintree Blockade 1984? 1985?
There are many documents and actions recorded on this extensive Peace by Peace site from the Pine Gap and early Peace by Peace work through to the Ploughshares Action 2011 and Trial 2013.
Bryan was a great record keeper and we have the stories of a long, varied and creative activist career.
Some of his earlier work we are collecting on Evernote and we are looking for a more permanent archivist and blogger and historian to take up the job of archiving and displaying so that activists can learn from what he did.
Bryan’s work was peculiar in that it often aimed at ordinary regional folk and he remained steadfast in his belief that it was ordinary people who will change the work through courageous action for social justice.
In the meantime, I will repost here some of the work around the trial of Graeme Dunstan which was also really a posthumous trial for Bryan.
Thanks to Robin Taubenfeld and Culley Palmer for the work they did recording the trial. There are some key documents and links to include.
BRYAN LAW and GRAEME DUNSTAN held in custody for damaging ATTACK HELICOPTER
– PROBABLE CHARGES
– BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS
– QUOTES
Contact Spokesperson: Margaret Pestorius 0403214422
Bryan Law 57 from Cairns Peace by Peace and Graeme Dunstan, 67 of Peace Bus have both been arrested and placed in custody after being allegedly involved with damaging a Tiger attack helicopter at Rockhampton airport yesterday.
They have been charged with 4 and 5 different offenses respectively. They will face court today, Friday, 22nd July.
The Charges will most probably be as follows
THREE Wilful Trespass [different Commonwealth Acts] as follows
1. Wilful Damage of a chain to gain entry
2. Wilful Damage under the Aviation Transport Security Act
3. Wilful Damage under the Crimes Act [Commonwealth] Section 29
ONE Possession of Tainted Property [That is property used to commit a crime] regarding
1. a garden implement
2. bolt cutters
3. a camera
1 Breaking a Bail undertaking not to go near the Rockhampton airport [Bryan Law]
Bryan is relatively well and pleased that he was able to carry out a strong act of disarmament that signals his abhorrence for Australia’s ongoing involvement in overseas wars.
“I can sleep with myself and with my conscience during this abominable war. The Tiger helicopter is a malicious weapon – the same sort of attack helicopter as the Apache gunship the US’ers use. The main cause of civilian deaths is when helicopters misfire on civilians when searching out ‘insurgents’ in operations – this is why I chose this helicopter.”
The Tiger helicopter is worth $40 milllion: only 2/3 what Australian taxpayers spend EACH DAY on military equipment, operations and personnel.
Bryan had previously said that he would target a US helicopter, but the US has hidden their machinery away from the public eye during this TS11 – even Samuel Hill airbase has not been used for aircraft. This seems to be a direct response to the threat of protest intervention.
A mattock was chosen to evoke the imagery of Isaiah – that we should turn swords into ploughshares. The mattock is a garden tool that is usually used to prepare the soil for planting and new growth.
Graeme has been charged as an associate in the act and therefore with the same offenses.
Above all, both hope that others will find inspiration in their actions and seek their own ways of directly resisting this permanent state of war that Australia finds itself in.
Both are seasoned nonviolent and community activists. Graeme is a military veteran having trained at Duntroon. Graeme has been leading the Peace Convergence by sewing colourful flags, building lanterns and banners as a back drop for all nonviolent actions and protests that have been held.
Graeme’s flags and supporters will be at the court for visuals and for interviews.
Spokesperson Margaret Pestorius – margaret@cairnspeacebypeace.org 0403214422
BACK GROUND INFORMATION
You can see Graeme Dunstan’s website at
www.peacebus.com
In July, the United States military will conduct enormous training exercises in Australia with the Australian Defence Force. Warships, submarines, warplanes, and soldiers will arrive. Invading shores and villages will be practiced. Bombing from the air will be practiced.
The U.S. war of terror continues. As I write, we are still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan and undeclared war in Pakistan, Yemen and Libya. Civilians are still killed and maimed by Coalition air-strikes.
Civilian homes, schools, workplaces, infrastructure, and even weddings have been decimated by the U.S. bombs. These air strikes are a violation of human life, of international law, of morality, and the teachings of Christ to love our enemies.
Myself and a small group of pacifists are preparing to disarm a U.S. military aircraft while they are here in July. We will not harm or threaten people… See more
