Anna Samson, Sydney
Will Saunders and David Burgess commenced their first weekend of periodic detention on February 14.
The pair were found guilty of malicious damage after painting the words "No war" on the highest sail of the Opera House. They were sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, to be served as periodic detention. They were also ordered to pay the Sydney Opera House Trust $151,000 in compensation.
As Saunders prepared to enter Silverwater jail, the Stop the War Coalition, together with the prisoners' rights group Justice Action, held a Valentine's Day "demonstration of affection" in the visitors' car park. A similar demonstration was organised for Burgess by Newcastle residents at Tomago prison.
The musical protest aroused the interest and support of prison guards and inmates at Silverwater. As Saunders later reported, "The lads in cell blocks B and C are right behind the peace movement... They think I'm the maddest one in there."
Marlene Obeid, one of the organisers of the demonstration, said the Stop the War Coalition recognises that the battle to free Will Saunders and Dave Burgess should be fought on many fronts: "On the one hand we must show our support for Will and Dave, who are sacrificing their liberty for the right of people to conduct peaceful protest. On the other hand, we must target those branches of the state that seek to silence dissent by imposing hefty penalties for those who dare to stand up against injustice."
The NSW Labor government has hinted that it will seek to introduce a mandatory penalty of six months' imprisonment for anyone caught scaling the sails of the Opera House. In recent history only protesters have climbed the sails, often to unfurl large banners. The government has also dedicated $9 million to protecting the Opera House from "terrorist attacks", on top of its annual cleaning budget of $15 million.
Saunders and Burgess have received extensive support from the general public and from some high-profile individuals. Before an audience of 1000 on February 15, John Pilger and Andrew Wilkie declared them to be heroes and urged the community to get behind them financially and politically.
Weekly vigils will be held each Friday, from 5.30pm at Circular Quay, to demand that the Sydney Opera House Trust drop its claim for $151,000 in compensation.
[Visit for more information.]
From Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, February 25, 2004.
Visit the