Peace Activist appears in Court.

Christian peace activist Tyler Culpepper appeared in the Manukau District court yesterday charged with wilful damage and being unlawfully on a building. These charges were a result of a protest action in January this in which Tyler altered the front of an arms component factory so it said “Rakon Kills”. Tyler had taken this action to express his deeply held opposition against Israel’s invasion of GAZA. The January invasion resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians, the targeting of civilian infrastructure and the widespread bombing of heavily populated areas.

Tylers hearing was well attended with a mini protest camp springing up outside. A gas stove provided constant cups of tea and Lasagne and Cake where served throughout the day. Around a dozen children and young people were present throughout the day playing tag outside and around the court building. One young child threw court protocol to the wind at one stage running past the lawyers completely oblivious to arcane rules and institutions. He was unfortunately foiled in his attempt to offer the judge a chip. The three “Waihopai Dome Busters” were present throughout the day offering support for Tyler.

Tyler defended his actions yesterday saying they were taken in “defence of another” which can be used as a defence of destruction of property. Towards this end Rakons Operations Manager was extensively cross examined in an attempt to confirm Rakons direct links to various militaries. This caused objections from the prosecution that such information was sensitive and not relevant to the case. The judge eventually prohibited further questioning along these lines saying it was not relevant whether Rakons components were actually used by militaries. Instead the judge said the test was whether Tyler genuinely believed he was acting to protect others. At one point the judge added that this line of questioning seemed largely to be about “gathering information to justify further protest action”. The operations manager denied any detailed knowledge of Rakons research for military applications despite such business making up 20% of its sales. Rakon has also publically stated it aims to dominate this lucrative and expanding field.

Next Tyler took the stand and talked about his deeply held convictions, involvement in a wide range of community organisations and extensive volunteer work. He explained his horror at what was taking place in GAZA and places like Iraq and Afghanistan where Rakon-guided bombs are deployed as a matter of course. He stated that he had felt compelled to take action.

Both Harmeet Sooden and John Minto appeared as witnesses talking about the effects of so called smart bombs on civilian populations and how Rakon is linked to these weapons.

The outcome of todays trial will be announced in January once futher applications by the prosecution and defence have been made.

This statement was written by Tyler the night before his protest in January as an explanation for what he was about to do.

All the nations will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
All wars will stop, and military training will come to an end.
Micah 4:3

Wars today are no longer fought using simple weapons like swords and spears. Instead, complex weapons, capable of much greater damage are used. These weapons require complex components from all over the world, even from here in Aotearoa.

If we are to participate in the fulfilment of this ancient prophesy – the beating of swords into ploughshares - we must know where to find these modern swords and spears, including the components essential to their operation.

The Rakon company supplies crystal oscillators to weapons companies. These oscillators are used in guidance systems for guided missiles and munitions systems - weapons of mass destruction. Rakon's components have undoubtedly been used in the invasion and on-going occupation of Iraq, as well as in the current invasion of the Gaza Strip. The invasion of Gaza over the last three weeks has cost the lives of over 1100 men, women and children, and injured thousands more, while Rakon made record profits last year.

Tomorrow I will take a can of red paint to the rooftop of the Rakon manufacturing facility and attempt to modify the signs on the front of the building. It is my intention to reveal the fact that Rakon is helping to manufacture weapons of war, for those that have forgotten and those who never knew. Then the process of beating these swords into ploughshares can begin.

The red paint symbolises the blood that Rakon helps to shed by selling components to the weapons companies. It stands in contrast to the sterile white walls of the Rakon factory which give the false impression of purity, so far removed from the death and destruction Rakon facilitates.

 Rakon Can be found at 8 Sylvia Park Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland