Graeme is presently in Canberra. He put out flags for the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on the lawns of Old Parliament House 26-29 January.
Beautiful camp, great spirit. A small side protest, the accidental ambush of the Prime Minister Gillard and side kick Opposition Leader Abbott, spooked security and the unbecoming Tv images of Gillard being dragged away went around Australia and around the world. Suddenly Aboriginal sovereignty was national news again and the Tent Embassy doing its magic in the way it did 40 years earlier. Report coming. Pic above: the Sovereignty Day march Canberra 26 January.
Peacebus.com journeys for justice, protests for peace and occupies public place with artful dissent and supports others to do likewise. This way Peacebus captain, Graeme Dunstan, gets to meet the visionaries, the outraged and the change makers in these times. As a grey haired elder, he bears witness to the currents of change and helps out best he can.
As an elder setting a good example, his artful actions sometimes get him into ongoing trouble with the law, as for example his support for Bryan Law and his Rockhampton Tiger Ploughshare action of 21 July 2011. Part of the Peace Convergence 2011 resistance to the 2011 Talisman Sabre US-led war games. Here are YouTube videos edited by Bryan from police evidence, one of the action and the other of Graeme's subsequent interview by Rockhampton CIB.
On 7 January 2012 he supported the Occupy Wonthaggi Speakers Forum.
At dawn on 3 December 2011 Graeme celebrated the 157th anniversary of the Eureka Rebellion with the burning of an effigy of disgraced media baron Rupert Murdoch. See media. In support of Dr Joe Toscano and the Reclaim the Radical Tradition of the Eureka Rebellion project of the Anarchist Media Institute. A wondrous event. Report here. Takver pix here.
Above radical historian Humphrey McQueen speaks at the Occupy Capital Hill rally, outside Parliament House while US President Obama spruiks for war within, 17 November. Report here. Pip Hinman's YouTube slideshow here.
Based on the design he developed for the abort Obama visit of 2009, Graeme made a small fleet of cardboard drones for this one. Here above the first unveilled sans tail fins 16 November 2011.
Graeme journeyed Canberra to Sydney in expectation he would be supporting the Re-Occupy Sydney rally of Saturday 5 November with PA and banner rigs. NSW Police of various kind conspired to frustrate this intention. Here the story.
Sonia Qadir speaking at Troops Out Rally 8 October in Sydney Town Hall Square, in the background the banner design courtesy of his daughter, Softly Price of Mighty Nice.
Peacebus.com captain, Graeme Dunstan, supported the "Troops out of Afghanistan/No more US wars" rally in Sydney, Saturday 8 October. He painted up the banner above and sewed up a set of peace flags for it using his daughter's designs and her shed. Ten years of war in Afghanistan. Only 50 people showed. No media. But it was an affirming and uplifting experience for those dedicated to peacemaking in these times none the less. Here Peter Boyle's photo album of the Rally. Graeme's report here Beautifully cut vimeo here.
He also made the above wreath for laying at the Sydney Cenotaph on behalf of Stand Fast. See media. In the end the RSL veto-ed the proposal and the wreath was carried in the parade and used to remember the dead outside the US Consulate in Martin Place. Here a YouTube of Graeme Speaking
On 9 September 2011 he attended and arrayed with banners for the Malalai Joya public meeting organised by the Sydney Stop the War Coalition in Marrickville Town Hall. Great feeling, standing ovation for this "not afraid to die" war resisting heroine.
About 400 people attended and $1000 was raised for Malalai to take back to Afghanistan. Best of all was the good feeling and cooperation amongst the various anti-war Left factions. This an affirmation that is renewed spirit in the movement to get Australian troops out of Afghanistan.
5-7 September Graeme journeyed to the Silver Wattle Quaker Centre near Bungendore NSW for a bit spiritual renewal and to hear the life stories and struggles of Radical Spirits who Turned the World Upside-Down as presented by peace activist Friend, Dale Hess. Above Helen Bayes, Silver Wattle director, and Ruth X.
A weekend retreat will take place at Silver Wattle 8-9 October to begin planning for the 2012 Anzac eve Peace Lantern Vigil which will take place at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Inquiries: Annie 02 6282 4943. And also to be discussed is an associated National Non Violence Action Gathering proposed for Silver Wattle, 23-27 April 2012.
He supported the Max Brenner boycott in Newtown on Saturday 20 July. About 60 people chanting outside the chocolate shop till it closed its doors. Poking a stick at the Zionist hornet's nest indeed, the campaign is sure drawing out the supporters of Israel, right or wrong. Hoorah for Bob Brown for refusing to be bought or intimidated.
During June and July he was in Rockhampton serving as convener of Peace Convergence 2011, the popular resistance the bienniel US-led war games (Exercise Talisman Sabre) at nearby Shoalwater Bay.
For his troubles he was arrested and charged as Bryan Law's accomplice in the ploughsharing a brand new, Oz army Tiger attack helicopter at Rockhampton air base, 21 July 2011. Here his Peace Convergence 2011 report. Hear Graeme's statement to the Rocky CIB, 22 July. Here a partial blog about life with Bryan @ Franz Jaegerstaetter House, 22 Buckle Street Rockhampton.
For Peace Convergence Graeme was based at Franz Jaegerstaetter House in Park Avenue, Brisbane and his first job there was to paint a new, Peace Convergence mural for Peacebus.com. On 9 June he unveilled the mural at an action at Western Street barracks, Rockhampton. Photo courtesy, Chris Ison, Morning Bulletin. The design courtesy of his daughter Softly Dunstan of Mighty Nice has designed. Here her hand at work.
On 14 May Peacebus.com supported the 2011 Northern Rivers Guardians' rally against Coal Seam Gas Mining in Murwillumbah, NSW, with flags and banners. A big turn out, two thousand people on the street and coming from all over, farmers and greenies in a new and very determined alliance. Here a prophecy: resistance to coal seam gas mining will redefine and re-Earth grassroots politcs in Australia. It will marginalise the ALP and give birth of something new, potent and responsive to the demands of the times.
On 1 May Peacebus.com was in Nimbin to help marshal the 2011 Nimbin Mardi Grass Parade. He put out flags and banners and also got back pack puppets dancing as Sea Shepherds. YouTube here.Pix above Jeff Dawson.
The crowd assembles on top of Mount Ainslie in Canberra on Anzac Day eve, 24 April 2011, for the inaugural Anzac eve Peace Lantern Vigil. Media here. Report coming. Here Terry Quins pix.
Probably the most significant outcome of the Anzac eve Lantern Vigil was the Anzac Day march led by Michael Anderson, one of the original founders of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, to commemorate the dead of the Frontier Wars. This year they were turned away but Anzac centenary coming and its only a matter of time ... Here a beautiful vimeo recorded and edited by Ellie Gilbert.
Dr Sue Wareham speaks at the Peacebus.com Defund the Military SpeakOut as part of the Global Day of Action on Military Expenditure at Blamey Square, Defence HQ, Russell, Canberra, 12 April with the "Bugs Bunny" Australian - American Memorial about 30 meters away and directly to the front of the speakers. Quaker Davis Johnson to the right, Women in Black to the left. Report coming. Media here
By way of promoting the Anzac eve Peace Lantern Vigil, Graeme organised the Speak Out above and also assisted in organising a wine and cheese talk at Manning Clark House with Dr Marilyn Lake and Dr Sue Wareham speaking on the theme, What's Wrong with Anzac?
On 14 February 2011 Peacebus.com supported the seventh annual memorial Rally and March for TJ Hickey, the 16 year old Aboriginal boy, who died of police pursuit in Redfern 2004. Killer cops and a big cover up. But the Hickey family and their supporters will not rest. This despite ongoing police harrassment of the family. Aided by the Peacebus.com PA the crowd chanted as they moved through the streets of Redfern to the Police Station: "Police say accident. We say murder."
Photo above, Egyptian-Australian and survivor of Terror War torture in the dungeons of the Murarak regime, Mamdouh Habib, watched by his devoted wife Maha, speaks to the Egyptian Revolution solidarity and victory celebration at Sydney Town Hall 12 February. Peacebus.com proud to be there with PA to give Mamdouh's truth amplification. Photo by Peter Boyle. Not everyday one celebrates a revolution. Check out the colour and the joy in Peter's Facebook album.
Outside the Canberra Magistrates Court on 7 February 2011 Peacebus.com supported Auntie Jude Kelly, elder in residence at the Tent Embassy in her call for justice for her son Luke, who was arrested on Commonwealth Bridge for refusing a police directive while bearing a Koori flag in the Sovereignty Day Peace Walk on 26 Jan. He was subsequently remanded in custody for breaching bail conditions. After four nights in jail he was released on 8 Feb when it was revealed in the court that there were no bail conditions.
Peacebus.com supported the Sovereignty Day celebrations at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy on 25 and 26 December. Graeme put out the flags and lanterns in the photo above and got the letters S O V E R E I G N T Y erected.
Peacebus.com was in Melbourne to support the WikiLeaks solidarity action which assembled at the State Library 10 December 2010. A big and feisty protest against the London detention of Julian Assange who had had explicit condemnation by PM Julia Gillard. Julian Assange has sure hotted up the anti-war movement and opposition to the US Alliance. "In the Empire of Lies, truth is treason." Go WikiLeaks! See IndyMedia reports of national rallies. See Rap News performance.
On 3 December 2010 Peacebus.com commemorated the 156th anniversary of the Eureka Rebellion supporting the Anarchist Media Institute's Reclaim the Radical Spirit of the Eureka Rebellion and burning an effigy of PM Gillard, Widow Maker, at dawn at the Eureka Stockade memorial.. See media. See report.
Peacebus.com was outside the Geelong Magistrates Court 29 November to support the Swan Island Nine. See media. See Indy media report. See Jessica Morrison's reflections.
Peacebus.com was at the gates of Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, on 8 November 2010, speaking out against the deals being struck with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, for the occupation of Australian militray bases by US forces. See media. See report.
Peacebus.com was at gates of Puckapunyal Army Base speaking out on 5 November 2010. See media. See report.
Peacebus.com conducted a Stand Fast Speak Out outside the Bandiana Army barracks at Wodonga, Victoria, Friday 29 October 2010. See media. See Prime Tv report. See Graeme's report.
WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlam speaks to the media at the Peacebus.com organised Speak Out on the lawns of the Australian Parliament on the day the nine-year-too-late debate on the Afghan war began in the House of Representatives. See report. See media. Pip Hinman's report in Green Left Weekly.
Peacebus.com supported the Troops Out Rally at Sydney Town Hall, 8 October 2010, the ninth anniversary of the US led invasion of Afghanistan. Indeed Peacebus.com captain, Graeme Dunstan, was a speaker at it and he also painted a beautiful banner for it - design courtesy of his daughter, Softly Dunstan of Mighty Nice. Peter Boyle's pix. Rihab Charida's Press TV clip.
On 24 SeptemberGraeme the third in the campaign of Stand Fast Speak Outs, this time at the gates of Holsworthy Barracks. See media. See report.
He arrived in Sydney in turn to support a rally by the Sydney Refugee Action Coalition at the Villawood detention centre on 22 September.
Polite Force dealing outside the Nimbin Police Station during the Polite Peaceful Protest on Police Priorities, Saturday 11 September 2010.
In Nimbin on Saturday 9/11 he supported a protest organised by the Nimbin HEMP Embassy against the oppressive policing regime. As is the way with HEMP Embassy actions, it was a hoot. See Nimbin Wave illustrated report.
Photo: Anai Fien
He had come from Brisbane where he had organised a Stand Fast Speak Out against the Afghan War at the gates of Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera, 9 September. See report in the Workers Bush Telegraph. More pix by Owain James. Pre-event media.
The first of the campaign of Stand Fast barrack gate Speak Out against the Afghan War took place outside the Lavarack Barracks in Townsville on 13 August. Here the media release and above the report in the Townsville Bulletin Saturday 14 August. Blog coming.
Graeme led a flag making project for NAIDOC Week in Rockhampton. Photo above from NAIDOC March in Rockie 9 July by Chris Ison of the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin. Report coming.
While there he made contact with peace activist friends there and did some plotting for resistance to the Talisman Sabre US-Oz war games at Shoalwater Bay next year.
On Saturday 19 June he was at the Jaggera Cultural Centre in Musgrave Park, West End, celebrating the 80 day Women's Peace Walk from Brisbane to Canberra. There he met Hamish Chitts, founder of Stand Fast, and with his assistance, changed the Peacebus.com mural.
Graeme came to Brisbane via The Dreaming where he found the Black History presentation by Land Rights activist, Gary Foley, inspired and inspiring. Above a photo and Gary and Graeme, first meeting in 30 years.
He had come from Rainbow Region and celebrating the 37th anniversary of the Nimbin Aquarius Festival which seeded so much counter cultural transformation in the district. He supported is Aquarian friend and fellow artful activist, Benny Zable, who was charged with trespass on Australia Day last. Photo above.
He came to Nimbin from a journey to Goodooga and a meeting with aboriginal elder, Michael Anderson, the last survivor of the founders of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra 1972, Australia's longest running protest. Michael was convenor of the New Way Summit on Aboriginal Rights which took place at ANU in Canberra 30 Jan to 1 February.
Michael was also one of the mob of young land rights activists who attended the 1973 Aquarius Festival in Nimbin. So it will be a meeting of Aquarian elders plotting a human rights/activist/ eldership gathering on his land there. Above Michael and Graeme with the flag that Graeme painted up based on the design of the flag flown at the founding of the Tent Embassy in 1972.
Above a flag raising at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy 28 April with elder in residence Auntie Jude Kelly, Shiralee Hood and Jude's two sons, Luke and Mica - an appropriate start for the Journey to Goodooga.
Graeme attended the Australian Quaker Centre on the shores of Lake George near Bungendore where he spent the Anzac Day weekend in retreat with a group of peace activist Christians interested in Putting an End to War. Such an affirmation for the heart and the spirit, he could not keep from singing!
There he did some plotting for peace; in particular some planning and cooridination for resistance to the 2011 US -Oz war games at Shoalwater Bay (known as Talisman Sabre) and a lantern presence at the next Anzac Day observance in Canberra. Viva the Anzac Peacemakers! Here an illustrated report.
Graeme was in Newcastle on 28 March for the fifth annual People's Flotilla Blockade of coal ship movement of Newcastle Harbour. The event was organised byRising Tide, the most active (in the sense of direct action) climate change resistance group in the land he helped out by rigging flags and banners in support. Maybe 300 people, lots of kayaks, lots of cops but no coal ships. Success! Everyday we stop coal exports is a day closer to stopping them forever.
He had come from Canberra where, on behalf of Stand Fast veteran's against against the wars, he had been preparing on an artful welcome for US President Obama, the Nobel Peace Laurette who promotes war. But Obama baled out.
Above the banner he painted up - design courtesy of his daughter, Softly Dunstan of Mighty Nice Studios, Sydney. And a prototype cardboard MQ-1 Predator Drone for the fleet he was planning to assemble. See On Making a Cardboard Drone.
Here the media for the aborted protest. Here the blog.
During December he was in and around Sydney helping organise amongst veterans resistance to the US wars on Iraq and Afghanistan. Based on three years at Duntroon 45 years ago he was "welcomed aboard" as a member/organiser of Stand Fast. He has been advocating a rally of veterans in Canberra on the Anzac Day weekend 2010.
He was witness to the climate change activism which manifested at the Helensburgh Climate Camp of 9-11 October 2009. See illustrated report.
During August he was in the Rainbow Region of NSW helping organise the resistance to the Repco Motor Rally through the Tweed Valley and beyond on 3-6 September. Success. See his report and also his blog of sorts.
Prime Minister Rudd came to Lismore on 24 August and the HEMP Embassy took the Big Joint to meet him. Peacebus.com was there in support of the Nimbin HEMP Embassy. See illustrated report.
Peacebus.com was a presence in Yeppoon-Rockhampton for the Peace Convergence and in resistance to the biennial US-Australian war games at Shoalwater Bay known as Operation Talisman-Sabre, 6 - 26 July.
He kept a blog of sorts. Anillustrated report is in the making.
Graeme Dunstan was Marshal of the 2009 Nimbin Mardi Grass Parade of Sunday 4 May. The Obama banner he painted up for it was designed by his "clever like a monkey" daughter Softly Dunstan and painted with the assistance of Mardi Grass volunteers, My Wiman, Raphael Bardin and Robin. Illustrated report.
As part of the Easter protests against the environmental destruction of the Barrick Gold mine at Lake Cowal near West Wyalong on 12 April 2009. See illustrated report. Peacebus.com blockaded the mine gate at shift change and Graeme later charged with obstruction.
Peacebus.com supported the fourth annual Peoples Blockade of Newcastle Harbour on 21 March 2009 with flags and banners. That day no coal ships left the Harbour, the biggest coal port in the world, because of our flotilla presence. Victory to the People! See Graeme's report Ending coal one day at a time.
Above is part of the Climate Action Summit crowd who circled the federal Parliament on 3 February, its first sitting for 2009. Peacebus.com was there.
Peacebus.com was also part of the Stop the Intervention Rally later that day and was in residence at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy 25 Jan to 5 February. See report. Below is Auntie Isobelle Coe at the sacred fire on the afternoon of 30 January.
Peacebus.com had travelled to Canberra from Wonthaggi in Victoria where he participated in protests against the building of a desalination plant near Wonthaggi. Another story of ALP-corporate corruption in these times, see report. Below a photo of the local activist on the jetty at San Remo, Victoria, 7 January 2009, in one of a series citizen initiated actions in resistance.
Before that Peacebus.com had assisted GM free protestersin an action outside the gates of Corio College in Geelong, Victoria, where Prime Minister Rudd and his Cabinet were meeting interested local citizens in a tightly controlled exercise in pretend democracy, 7 December 2008. See report.
Graeme had been invited to the two above protest actions by an activist whom he met at dawn on the 3 December 2008 at the Eureka memorial in Ballarat, Victoria amongst those who celebrated the 154th anniversary of the Eureka rebellion. There Graeme burned an effigy of Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Mick Keelty, in protest at the white wash by the dud Rudd government for his Terror War excesses under the Howard regime. See report.
2008 was a busy year of protest for Peacebus.com. On Saturday 1 November he supported his Newcastle Rising Tide friends to mount a climate change action at the Bayswater Power Station near Muswellbrook. He painted up the banner for the action. See illustrated report.
And before that he was in the Blue Mountains making lanterns and deploying flags for the Festival of Joy at the Katoomba Community Gardens on Saturday 18 October. Have flags and lanterns, will travel.
Graeme gets around. In Corrimal, Wollongong. On Saturday 11 October, he supported a local citizen action to reclaim a small patch of escarpment rain forest from inappropriate development by the late father of ICAC declared-corrupt property developer, Frank Vellar.. Photos posted..
He addressed the Environmentally Concerned Citizens of Orange (ECCO) on 24 September 2008 on the toxic consequences of cyanide leach gold mining. Orange citizens, already concerned about the overweening thirst of the Cadia gold mine, are faced with the prospects of another gold mine at near by Lucknow.
Graeme was outside Australian Federal Police headquarters in Canberra calling for the sacking of the Commissioner, Mick Keelty, on 19 September. Mick had been before the Clark Inquiry into his Terror War policing under the former Terror War prime minister, John Howard. See report.
Graeme Dunstan under the banner he painted for the Newcastle Climate Camp rally 13 July 2008
Peacebus.com was an active contributor to the Climate Camp which took place in Newcastle 10-15 July. On Sunday 13 July a rally of 1000 people closed down the coal loader for 7 hours. Happy Wheels was stopped and searched by cops on two separate occasions. See Graeme's report
Graeme celebrated Independence from America Day in Byron Bay on 4 July with a small but feisty action. See 53 minute YouTube.
He celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Nimbin Aquarius Festival by convening an Honorable Elders camp under the Nimbin Rocks on 16-19 May. See illustrated report.
Graeme Dunstan at Honorable Elders Camp 19 May 2008
For the previous months of 2008 he has been on the road with Cyanide Watch, the direct action campaign to bear witness to the cyanide crimes of the gold mining industry and their suppliers.
In association with a video illustrated presentation on Zapista resistance in southern Mexico at The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba, NSW, on the evening of 11 April 2008, a Cyanide Watch action took place by the rail. See In Katoomba Cart Wheeling Cyanide Free.
There have also been Cyanide Watch actions outside the gates of the Barrick Gold mine at Lake Cowal, Easter Sunday 23 March and before that outside the Stawell Gold Mine in Stawell Victoria 19 March.
Here is a report of the Cyanide Watch was outside of Orica's HQ in Melbourne on Friday 29 February.
Peacebus.com began its 2008 actions by was assisting at the Sorry Day actions and celebration at the Tent Embassy on the days 9 through 13 February 2008.
Peacebus.com aims to contribute to the building of sustainable resistance to Earth destroying corporate greed. For insight, check out Peacebus.com praxis.
And in between actions of witness Graeme is a father and grandfather. Here above Iggy Bravo (5 years) and his brother Baxter Valentine Price (2 1/2 years) as superheros. And below his far away in Mexico grand daughter, Dixie Valentina Dunstan Valderrama, now 2 years old and presently visiting Oz.
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