Sgt Stephen Ute
Federal Agent
Protective Security Intelligence
Australian Federal Police
dear Stephen
Thank you for meeting with me yesterday to discuss the civic reception being organised for US President Bush when he visits Canberra 22-23 October. Please thank Federal Agent Scott Rowell too.
I can imagine the pressure that you two are under from US security personnel to corral and diminish the visibility and influence of the citizens who will be gathering outside the Parliament when President Bush is inside telling more lies and asking (demanding?) more commitment from the Australian government to his wars in Iraq and elsewhere.
May we keep in mind that the Australian Parliament belongs to the Australian people, not the US President, and that it is serves its democratic function best when people can freely gather in crowds there to bear witness for peace, good government and independence from tyranny.
I was heartened by the respect you showed me when we met. I saw that you were concerned to respect my rights to assemble in order to speak up and speak out against this war-making US President. Let's us walk beside each other, stakeholders and partners with the common purpose of making the civic reception of US President Bush joyful, artful and safe.
Thank you too for linking me with the other protest organisers. I met with Professor John Minns and attended the ACTNow Coalition meeting yesterday evening. I understand that ACTNow will be organising a flatbed truck with a PA and a program of speakers. Some musicians also.
It seems to me that this platform will be of major significance for it will be to there that 'turn backs on Bush" defecting parliamentarians, ALP, Greens and democrats, will go in order to make their protest known to the Australian people.
There will be a lot of media about this. If Bob Brown announces his intention to speak there, the crowd will be huge.
But on the whole i found ACTNow to be a closed and gloomy bunch so I came away respecting the effort they are making to get the stage and PA together but also with the determination to organise and promote parallel actions with more art and more opportunities for crowd participation.
Here is what I now have in mind.
A lantern lit peace vigil on the lawns in front of old Parliament House hosted by the Aboriginal Tent Embassy (yet to be confirmed) on the evening of Wednesday 22 October. I propose to have Aboriginal elders bless the vigil and to also organise interdenominational prayer sessions and meditations for peace. I imagine the smoky fires, the coloured lights on the old Parliament, the lit up fountains, the lake views, and balmy evening weather will make this an event beautiful, accessible and deeply meaningful for many people.
On Thursday I will bring flags and banners and set up a performance space within the protester corral in front of the new Parliament House. At an appropriate time (probably after the Bush speech to Parliament) I will draw together a circle of performance poets and freestyle rappers. At minimum I will have a pig nose battery amp and mike for this. But I expect the rappers themselves will bring better sound that I have at hand.
A cardboard effigy of Bush/Howard will burn and those who witness it will literally be listening to the prophecies of a Burning Bush. Poetry, theatre, prophecy, it will be a powerful moment.
The Burning Bush is a show that I have done before with excellent media impact celebrating Independence from America Day in Byron Bay last 4 July. See www.peacebus.com/FourthJuly/
For these events I will be putting out media announcements, which I will post to www.peacebus.com. All our correspondence too.
May the path to and through this civic reception be marked at every step by respect.
May the enduring fruit of our efforts be friendship.
Graeme Dunstan
Subject: Different people, different styles
To: John Minns
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2003 13:14:35 +1000
From: Graeme Dunstan
Organization: Peacebus.com
dear Professor Minns,
Thank you for meeting me.
I cannot say we hit it off with any grace. You came with a happy smile but quickly closed down your heart and began wearing a weary, worried face.
The change came when you learned I had opened independent police liaison. Seems you don't trust federal agents or people who talk to them. As a long time protest organiser I deal with cops all the time and usually find them polite, informative and helpful. Much more so than my fellow protest organisers. So it goes. Different people, different styles.
I was neither inspired nor made trustful by the manner of meeting ACTNow held last night. On the surface it appeared democratic and egalitarian. In fact it was tightly controlled and one got the feeling that many murky agendas lurked not too far beneath the surface appearances.
From long experience i know such manner of meeting produce controlled and very boring protests. Not my style. Long ago I vowed I would never go to another Socialist Alliance/Resistance stacked meeting. But there I was again yesteday, and you my reluctant host.
Let's work together best we can.
Associated is my response to the federal agents I met yesterday. Unless you tell me otherwise I will continue sending you copies of our correspondence.
Please keep me informed of your police liaison and the progress of ACTNow's organising.
Peace be with us.
Graeme Dunstan
Subject: RE: Civic reception for US President Bush
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2003 13:59:34 +1000
From: "Uhe, Stephen"
To:
Dear Graeme,
Sorry I missed your call - as you can imagine we are pretty busy at the moment.
It was most pleasant meeting with yourself and Jennifer yesterday under the shade of a tree - I wish all our meetings could be so relaxed!
Firstly I can advise there have been changes announced this morning by Parliament House Security in relation to where the designated protest areas will be. They have moved the barrier for the designated protest area back towards Old Parliament House, a distance of about 50 metres. Although the protestors will still be in the area named 'Federation Mall', it is no longer within the designated Parliamentry area and not subject to their rules and guidelines. (you may recall that the guidelines strictly prohibited PA systems, structures, vehicles etc etc)
The area that is responsible for the new area is the NCA (National Capital Authority). I have spoken to them this date in relation to what is allowed and not allowed. In essence, if any protestors intended to erect a structure (bamboo poles?) such as a stage, platform, or speaker assemblies, they need to apply for a permit. I understand these are available online - you may wish to look at www.nationalcapital.gov.au for more info. They may well approve many requests within reason.
A good contact at the NCA is Mr Chris JOBSON tel 62722919 or mobile 0402 892 815. He is the Events Officer and is a nice chap. He is away today but a Mr Dean Marshall is also very helpful.
Thankyou very much for the information contained in your e-mail - it is of great help to us. Your demonstartion sounds like it will be a very colourful and artistic event. Good Luck!
If we can assist in any way please don't hesitate to call or e-mail. Otherwise we will try to say hi on the day
Regards
Steve
Subject: US President Bush afraid of the Australian people
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2003 15:54:29 +1000
From: Graeme Dunstan
Organization: Peacebus.com
To: "Uhe, Stephen"
CC: John Minns
Thanks for that advice, Steve.
One wonders who Parliament House Security are working for.
But this has got to be expected of a US president come to tell lies and promote war. He is afraid of the people and afraid of the truth of the people and just like in the US, wants all sign of it corralled and kept out of sight.
I will contact Chris Jobson direct about bamboo poles and PA.
May peace prevail.
Graeme
