Inflatables protesting
in front of Rota naval Base where there is
a heavy presence of military vessels.
28/04/2005 — Do people who peacefully protested
against the illegal war in Iraq deserve to
be branded criminals and thrown in jail? Prosecutors
in Spain think so and want to lock up five
Greenpeace activists. For four years.
The right to peaceful freedom of expression
is a cornerstone of democracy. But in Spain,
where public opinion was overwhelmingly opposed
to the Iraq war, it seems standing up for
a peaceful world can get you thrown in jail.
Daniel Rizzotti, Lawrence Martin Turk, Carlos
Bravo, María Teresa Ambros and Phillip
Walter Lloyd were all facing jail sentences
of up to four years.
Greenpeace activist Edward Elliot is treated
by the ship's nurse on board the Greenpeace
ship 'Rainbow Warrior' before going to the
hospital, Cadiz, Spain.
Their crime: they stood up against the former
Spanish government's support for the Iraq
war. Greenpeace activists in other countries
such as the UK, Netherlands, Chile and France
were also arrested during anti-war protests
but none received such severe charges and
violent treatment as those in Spain.
On 14 March 2003 our ship the Rainbow Warrior
was protesting against the war at a Spanish
port used to send war supplies to Iraq. During
the action Lawrence and María were
arrested. Military police also forcefully
boarded the Rainbow Warrior and arrested the
ship's captain Daniel, along with Carlos and
Phillip. After 12 hours in custody, they were
all eventually released with charges of resisting
arrest and disobedience, and physical damage
to property.
Sentences handed down
Update May 16, 2005:The judge cleared 3 activists
of all charges, but sentenced Captain Daniel
Rizotti to 6 months in prison for failure
to follow orders and handed down 10 days in
prison for Phil Walter Lloyd for public disturbance.
Due to the type of sentence the activists
currently will not have to spend time in jail.
We are considering appealing the Captain's
charges. "These sentences are far more
equal to the acts they seek to punish,"
said Greenpeace Spain Executive Director Juan
Lopez de Uralde, "this closes a dark
chapter marked by the intention of silencing
Greenpeace and its campaigns... we will continue
working for the environment and peace."Thanks
to all of you who took action to free the
activists! Our actions are always peaceful
and non-violent. The activists face possible
sentences of four years' imprisonment for
Daniel, three years' prison for Carlos and
Phillip, and nine months' prison for Lawrence
and Maria. In total, almost 12 years behind
bars. Additionally, the arrests were violent
and several activists were injured, and unnecessary
damage was inflicted to the Rainbow Warrior.and
nine months' prison for Lawrence and Maria.
In total, almost 12 years behind bars. Additionally,
the arrests were violent and several activists
were injured, and unnecessary damage was inflicted
to the Rainbow Warrior.and nine months' prison
for Lawrence and Maria. In total, almost 12
years behind bars. Additionally, the arrests
were violent and several activists were injured,
and unnecessary damage was inflicted to the
Rainbow Warrior.
At the time, our onboard web editor Tracy
described the arrests:
"There was a loud noise on the window
of the starboard side bridge door as the police
took a sledge hammer to it, then another bang
on the window of the door right behind me.
Then the glass of the starboard side shattered
and after a couple more knocks the police
created a large hole in the window...
One of the crew was elbowed in the nose and
put in a headlock, another punched in the
stomach and put in a headlock. The police
chief was by then right in my face shouting
at Daniel behind me, the camera was shaking
in my hand...
There was glass all over the floor and Daniel
was outside, the police binding his hands
with rope. The police came back in the bridge
and grabbed Phil the Bosun and Carlos the
Spanish campaigner, pulled them out onto the
deck, arrested them and tied their hands as
well.
It was a brutal scene and one I will not
quickly forget. It is because of the thousands
of innocent people who will be killed and
injured that we tried to stop the US military
cargo ship Cape Horn from taking supplies
for war to the Gulf.
It is because we dream of peaceful solutions
that we ride the rainbow."
The extent of the charges requested by the
prosecution are yet another impact of the
Iraq war on otherwise civil societies: reduced
civil liberties, and restrictions on the rights
to expression and protest. A war which was
theoretically dedicated to fostering democracy
has undermined it.
Thanks to all who took action to keep the
activists free
