About 60 people attended a demonstration of solidarity and support for the three men arrested for deflating the protective balloon covering the satellite at the Waihopai spy base last week.

People gathered at Manners Mall for speeches by Don Franks of the Workers Party, members of Peace Action Wellington and several anarchists. All of the speakers stressed the need to close the bases, saluted the courage of the activists and cautioned passers-by about the ECHELON network, the name of the spy network to which the Waihopai base feeds information. ECHELON is hosted by the US National Security Council and includes outposts in Britain, Canada and Australia (most notably Pine Gap).

The demonstration travelled through central Wellington, down Willis Street, and onto Lambton Quay where people took over the street. About half-down Lambton Quay an aggravated bus driver (operating the Airport Shuttle No 91) hit several pedestrians from behind. After pulling into a stop, the bus driver again ploughed into the demonstration and nearly ran over several people.

After arriving at the GCSB building, a number of spooks appeared out of the building to survey the scene and the police paddy wagon showed up. Fortunately, we made a quick escape before the forces of darkness could kidnap us, and we left behind a few messages for them.

The GCSB will move from this current space to a brand new building in 2010. This new building costing $90 million is just more evidence that this government, like every government, is in the business of violence and the repression of the people within its imposed borders.

Freedom for the Blenheim 3. Freedom for all prisoners.