October 15th Solidarity

A trial date of 8 August 2011 has today been set in the Auckland High Court for the 18 defendants arrested in raids under the Terrorism Suppression Act on 15th October 2007. Five defendants face a charge of ‘participation in a criminal group’ and all defendants face charges under the Arms Act.

The Search and Surveillance bill is currently considered by Parliament. This massive new law would substantially increase State powers to search, surveil people and places. It also allows expanded powers to set up roadblocks, like the one set up in Ruatoki on 15 October 2007. The law effectively removes the right to silence and allows for covert surveillance on private property. Members of the October 15th Solidarity crew in Wellington made submissions on the bill, and are undertaking a campaign to stop it.

The public came out in force to support those still facing charges from the state terror raids of 15th October 2007. An art auction in Wellington last night raised over $20,000.

“Thanks to the amazing artists who donated their work for the cause, and thanks to the hundreds of people who attended the Explosive Expression exhibition over the week, the issue of state repression of resistance is back under the spotlight in Aotearoa,” says October 15th Solidarity spokesperson Peter Steiner.

You are invited to share in a week of events commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the 'terror raids.' The October 15th Solidarity group in Wellington is hosting Explosive Expression: art exhibition and auction starting with opening night on Tuesday 13 October.

See a list of the events and view the artworks