15 GREENPEACERS AND TWO PRESS MEN COULD FACE JAIL FOR STAR WARS ACTION

17 July 2001

Los Angeles, California, July 16th 2001: Fifteen Greenpeace activists and two journalists have been hit with extremely serious charges after the Star Wars missile test was delayed on Saturday evening. The group faces jail terms of more than ten years if found guilty of conspiring to violate a safety zone and violating an order.(1) The activists from all over the world appeared at the federal Court in Los Angeles this evening. The independent photographer and videographer were charged along side them.

"Our activists acted with honour and integrity in a courageous, selfless and non-violent protest against a dangerous programme" said Greenpeace International executive director Ged Leipold. "They're from across the world and reflect a growing global opposition to Star Wars. The photographer and videographer were present simply to do their jobs as independent witnesses. These incredibly harsh charges against a totally peaceful act of opposition are a clear indication of President Bush's dictatorial and non democratic approach to aggressively deploying Star Wars. His attempt to censor any debate or dissent over this programme will be challenged in the courts." Leipold added.

Those charged come from the U.S, UK, Germany, India, Sweden, Australia, Spain and Canada, The fifteen members of the boat crews and two members of the press, were below the flight path of the missile. Swimmers on boogie boards went ashore at the base, while three boats and press boat, chased by coastguards, and a helicopter entered the exclusion zone. Greenpeace divers went down underwater in the zone also. The test was delayed for forty minutes. Despite repeated warnings that activists were in the danger zone, along with at least one coastguard vessel, the base commander of Vandenberg ordered that the missile be fired regardless.

" Everyone involved in this action has done an incredibly brave thing. They were prepared to put themselves in the firing line of that missile to try to stop not just this test, but the whole Star Wars programme. This is not about the future of nuclear weapons technology, it is about the future of our planet and the people on it. We want to see a nuclear free future. This legal process should not be about prosecuting a peaceful protest, it should be about putting George Bush and his Star Wars programme on trial." Leipold added.

For more information of the Greenpeace Stop Star Wars campaign visit www.stopstarwars.org.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Sara Holden, Greenpeace International media officer in Los Angeles +1 805 291 1749
William Peden, Greenpeace International disarmament campaigner in Los Angeles +1 202 285 9130