Activists attack military chopper with garden mattock axe in Rockhampton
- From: The Courier-Mail
- July 21, 2011
AN activist who allegedly attacked a military helicopter with a garden mattock at Rockhampton Airport was trying to "disarm" it.
Police rushed to Rockhampton Airport this morning after the man allegedly cut a hole in the fence and damaged the aircraft with a garden mattock.
Australian Federal Police said the man, 57, allegedly "breached the secure area of the airport and damaged a defence helicopter".
"As this matter remains ongoing it is not appropriate to comment further," the AFP said.
A sympathiser for the activist recently issued a statement to The Courier-Mail that referenced Old Testament passages from the Bible.
"(The man's) action follows in the tradition of the Ploughshares Movement, the non-violent disarmament of weapons of war,'' the statement read.
"Inspiration is found in the Bible scriptures of Isaiah (2:4) and Micah (4:3) where the prophets tell of a time when swords will be beaten into ploughshares, and Nations will no longer prepare for war.
The sympathiser said the activist warned police months ago of his intention to disarm a chopper during current the current US-Australian military exercise dubbed Talisman Sabre.
According to state and federal police, the activist has not yet been charged.
A trio was arrested for blockading military vehicles and were today fined for trespass and obstruction.