PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINST WAR – A CRIME?

Environmental Panorama
Cadiz - Spain
April of 2005

 

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

 
 

Source: Greenpeace International (http://www.greenpeace.org)
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