Weapons conference arrests disgraceful and unlawful

#media_6959;left# Peace activists achieved a great victory in Wellington District Court
today as the last remaining charge of those against the 20 people arrested
at last year’s protest against the weapons conference at Te Papa was
dismissed.

The charge of trespass against Peace Action member Nick Henry was
dismissed following an application by police to offer no evidence.

Weapons Conference a Battleground for Protesters (2005) | Te Papa - No Arms Race at Our Place (2004) | PAW: Weapons Conference Disrupted (2003)

“This is a vindication of our position that the Trespass Act can not be
used to prevent protest in a public place” said Nick Henry.

“None of the 20 people arrested were convicted of any charge. The arrests
were simply a means for Te Papa management to remove people who were
lawfully voicing opposition to the Defence Industry Association annual
conference.”

“The hosting of a weapons conference at Our Place is offensive to many New
Zealanders. The National Museum should not be the marketplace for
companies like Lockheed Martin to sell missiles.”

“Members of the Defence Industry Association claimed that no weapons would
be on display yet an army tank and helicopter were showcased at the museum
during the conference.”

Peace Action Wellington has an on-going campaign to stop the annual
conference which is again scheduled to happen at Te Papa in October.

Weapons conference back at Te Papa in 2006

The New Zealand Defence Industry Association (NZDIA) is coming back to Wellington this October. From 16 - 18 October 2006 they will once again hold their annual conference at Te Papa ('Our Place'). Peace Action Wellington has campaigned for a number of years against the New Zealand weapons industry and their conference. Last year, the front entrance of the museum was closed for 4 hours by a human blockade on the opening day of the conference with a large contingent of the 'Revolutionary Clown Army' participating.
Get in on Peace Action - Call to Action!

Peace Action Wellington is having a campaign planning and strategy session on Saturday, May 27 from 1-5pm at the Unite! office, 307 Willis Street. This is an opportunity to talk about our plans, commitments and energy levels for the coming year - and make a strategy for actions and education. This meeting is open to old and new Peace Activists so please come along with ideas to share. A campaign against the NZDIA conference will be discussed and a mobilisation for mid October is looking very likely. We are calling on people to come to Wellington in October from all across the country to participate in the actions against the conference.

Network Opposed to Weapons and Related Production in Aotearoa / New Zealand

Peace Action Wellington

Related

http://www.peacewellington.tk