Embedded Files
I led a vigorous civil society response to the detention of US peace campaigner Scott Parkin, who was removed from Australia after ASIO triggered the cancellation of his tourist visa.
Scott was detained by immigration officials and police one hour before we were due to co-facilitate a workshop presenting lessons from his anti-war organising work in Houston, Texas.
I was the first person Scott called when he was detained. I alerted grassroots networks and civil liberties groups, triggering a wave of protest, parliamentary debate and sympathetic media.
Over the next two weeks, I led a nonviolence teach-in at Parliament House, challenged Attorney-General Philip Ruddock to detain a roomful of peaceful protesters in "Gandhi" masks and confronted Prime Minister John Howard live on 3AW's Neil Mitchell program.
After his removal from Australia, I supported Scott's efforts to hold ASIO to account, as he pursued civil legal action against the Director-General of Security.
I built and managed the Friends of Scott Parkin website, authored a 12,000 word "citizen's security assessment" and wrote 16 media releases.
Four years after his removal, the Federal Court ruled against granting Scott's lawyers access to ASIO documents that triggered the cancellation of his visa.
Since 2006, Scott has worked as Climate Campaigner and Organising Director with the Rainforest Action Network, where he has played a key role in campaigns to end mountaintop removal coal mining and halt the Keystone XL pipeline.
10 September 2005: Police transport Scott Parkin to the Melbourne Custody Centre after dozens of supporters gather at the Carlton police station, where he was first held after AFP and immigration officers took him into "questioning detention" outside a Brunswick café. Photo: Rama Cronin.
11 September 2005: Supporters gather at the Melbourne Custody Centre, where US peace activist Scott Parkin was held in solitary confinement for five days. The ASIO gags performed the dual role of symbolising censorship and encouraging a style of protest consistent with the description of a Scott as "peaceful".
12 September 2005: Greenpeace Australia Pacific staff and volunteers protest outside the Sydney office of Australian Prime Minister John Howard following the detention of visiting US peace activist Scott Parkin.
12 September 2005: Supporters of US peace activist Scott Parkin offer themselves for arrest at the offices of the Australian Federal Police in Melbourne. I designed this tactic, which was taken up by supporters in Brisbane and Adelaide.
15 September 2005: Supporters gather at Melbourne Airport as US peace activist Scott Parkin is removed from Australia under escort following the cancellation of his tourist visa. Greenpeace organiser Stacey Nelson designed this event with local volunteers.
15 September 2005: Iain Murray speaks to media at Melbourne Airport as Scott Parkin is removed from Australia.
16 September 2005: Scott Parkin speaks to media at Los Angeles International Airport after his removal from Australia. Photo: Ringo Chiu.
19 September 2005: Following Scott Parkin's removal from Australia, protesters in Gandhi masks invite Attorney-General Philip Ruddock to have them arrested at a Melbourne book launch. I designed and co-ordinated this media event after a last minute tip off that Ruddock was replacing the original speaker. It was covered in a late TV news bulletin. Photo: Anthony Bruzzese.
20 October 2005: Supporters of US peace activist Scott Parkin gather on the steps of the Victorian Parliament. I designed and coordinated this satirical media event to promote a "Demonstration for Civil Liberties" against State Government legislation allowing 14 day detention without charge.
13 December 2005: Scott Parkin's Australian friends show their support before a hearing in Parkin v O'Sullivan. I designed this photo opportunity to dramatise the Attorney-General's newly legislated power to block evidence from an open court.
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