Supporters rally for spy base protesters

KENT BLECHYNDEN/The Dominion Post

DUE IN COURT: Peter Murnane and Sam Land and the shrine put up outside the US embassy in Wellington.

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LATEST: Three peace activists appeared today in the Wellington District Court charged with an attack on government spy base at Waihopai, near Blenheim, in April last year.

Dominican friar Peter Murnane, Otaki organic gardener Adrian Leason and Hokianga farmer Sam Land allegedly committed two acts of willful damage - cutting a fence and slashing an inflatable dome covering a satellite dish - and a third of burglary by being in the yard belonging to the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB).

In his opening address, Crown prosecutor Hugh Boyd-Wilson said GCSB security staff found the three men sitting, having what appeared to be a prayer meeting beside one of the domes.

The three accused admitted they damaged the dome but said they were acting in self-defence.

The trial is set down for eight days.

Around 60 supporters gathered outside the court this morning carrying placards calling for the spy base to be shut down.

Yesterday, about 50 supporters gathered in Katherine Mansfield Park, near the United States embassy in Wellington.

They built a shrine at which people could pray for the three men.

Murnane said the United States' war in Iraq and Afghanistan had to stop.

He called for the Waihopai spy base to be shut down permanently.

The men were relieved the case would finally go to court, Murnane said.

"It's been a long time coming."

Land said he was feeling positive and calm before today's trial.

- with NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News