Background: Friends Of Wellington Terror Arrestees

Friends and colleagues of the four Wellington activists being held on firearms charges have released a statement and background information on the activities the four were involved in before their arrests on October 15th.

The four were arrested on Monday October 15th and are being held in prison without bail while the police consider possible further charges under the terrorism suppression act. The four have name suppression so we can’t release any identifying details.

We can say that they are a huge part of our community and contribute to our lives in so many ways. All of them give us love and support every day. They are fun and wonderful friends. The four include Maori (Te Ati Awa) and non-Maori, and are artists, musicians and writers, builders, a teacher, a librarian. They are our friends, lovers, and family We miss them deeply. We want them back now.

We demand:

- no charges be laid under the Terrorism Suppression Act;
- all prisoners be immediately released;
- an independent investigation into the conduct of police during the raids.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
UNCONDITIONAL SOLIDARITY
UNCONDITIONAL FREEDOM

They are all incredibly community-spirited, and are involved in a huge range of projects focused on social justice and community building. Community groups that one or more of them give their considerable skills and support to include:

128 community house, a radical social and resource centre at 128 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro. It has meeting rooms, a workshop, paint, tools and resources to use or borrow, yoga/ dance/ band practice/ art space, and more, and contributes to a diversity of community projects.

Mechanical Tempest cycle repair workshop at 128, providing free assisted DIY cycle repair and resources to fix or make your bike.

Revolting Books! community library project, run by the Black Cardigan Collective. A free lending library at 128 specialising in radical books and ‘zines.

Kotahi te Ao, a global grassroots film project documenting solutions for a sustainable world. www.kotahiao.org

Arlington Community Gardens

The Freedom Shop, an anarchist book shop, located with Oblong in Left Bank off Cuba St, specialising in radical books, ‘zines, music, patches. The Freedom Shop supports a number of other projects.

Oblong, a not-for-profit, collectively run, affordable internet cafe that provides free advice, help and information and runs regular skillshares and workshops. Located with the Freedom Shop in Left Bank, it also provides wall space for exhibitions.

Wellington Animal Rights Network, a grassroots animal rights group that campaigns against all forms of animal abuse and cruelty.

Peace Action Wellington, a grassroots campaign group working on issues of peace and justice, particularly the war on Iraq, the occupation of Afghanistan, and NZ's involvement in the war on terrorism. www.peacewellington.org

Rebel Press, an anti-profit anarchist publishing collective. www.rebelpress.org.nz

Indymedia, a grassroots group using media production and distribution as a tool for promoting social and economic justice. www.indymedia.org.nz

Save Happy Valley Coalition, waging a campaign to stop Solid Energy from destroying Happy Valley.

Opportunity for Animals, an op-shop in Riddiford St, Newtown raising funds directly for animals in need, as well as for animal rights and welfare work.

Wellington Community Resources Group is a collectively run co-op that holds and services items for free or cheap hire to people working for radical social change.

Alternative Education Network, stimulating and empowering people to take an active role in educating themselves and others.

Poneke Black Pages, an introduction to some of the many great radical projects and organisations in Wellington at the moment.

The 'Sweet As?' conference, Ethnic and Pakeha NZers talk identity and dominance in a colonised land.

Youth for Environmental Sanity (YES!) is a nonprofit organization that connects, inspires and empowers young changemakers to join forces for a thriving, just and sustainable way of life. www.yesworld.org

ENDS