Baxter 05 Convergence - "Operation Counterspin"

Baxter 05 Convergence - "Operation Counterspin"

Five arrested WA activists declare their fence cutting protest at Baxter IDF 'Morally Right'

Yesterday we (as the five activists named below) peacefully tore down a small piece of the fence at the Baxter Immigration Detention Facility as a symbolic protest against Australia's policy of mandatory detention. 'We state that the damaging of the fence is non-violence, believing that in fact this fence represents the violence inflicted on innocent human beings by our inhumane policy'. Our action took place on Easter Sunday morning. The five of us crossed a small perimeter fence and then used a nylon rope and small metal hook to pull off some strands of electrified wire running along the top of the main fence. We did this away from the main protest activity and police presence. We then dropped our equipment and stood with our hands in the air, peacefully giving ourselves up for arrest as the police arrived. We remain open and accountable for these actions as we believe that they are morally right.

We took this action independently but in solidarity with the wider convergence at Baxter which was to peacefully protest against detention policy in this country. 'We are disappointed with any violence against people allegedly perpetrated by protesters, just as we are dismayed by the heavy handed police tactics, in particular the unnecessary brutality we received during our arrests. However, we especially condemn the systemic violence being committed against hundreds of innocent people in Australian detention centres'. We also want to draw attention to the hypocrisy of our 'justice' system where we who have committed a crime are free to travel and enjoy our comfortable lives, while those who have committed no crime are imprisoned indefinitely. 'We and other activists will continue to protest vigorously and non-violently until every detention centre is closed and refugees are welcomed here'.

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