What I did after witnessing racism on public transport

I boarded the 10.02pm Train from Central to Waterfall on the Sydney Eastern Suburbs & Illawarra Line. Within 10 minutes I had started to go to sleep as I normally do on trains. I was awoken around 10.20pm by a Caucasian female (aggressor) who made a very loud statement along the lines of ‘Why do you dress like that when you are pregnant’ .. I instantly awoke and it was clear the comment was directed to an Asian female (victim) and her Asian partner (victims partner). As I rubbed my eyes and sat up to understand what was going on, it was clear the victim was intimidated by the comment, possibly looking away and ignoring at first. A verbal exchange involving the aggressor, victim and victims partner than began. The victims partner repeatedly stated ‘leave us alone’. The situation quickly escalated and the aggressor started using offensive language and commenting on the victim and partners race, lines about the ‘immigration problem’ and suggesting the victimised couple were the ‘problem’. At multiple occasions during the couple of minutes the exchange the aggressor looked to me as if I should be either approving or encouraging her actions.. I shook my head in disbelief.. I stated something along the lines of that’s enough or stop it, to which I received a response yelled back at me, I cannot recall what was said but something about minding my own business. I then proceed to turn my phone camera on and made a comment about the aggressor wanting to be on YouTube (reference to the recent videos that went viral and made the news). http://youtu.be/fCstvq3wf7Q The footage lasted 83 seconds, and mainly involved the aggressor telling me to stop filming, then trying to grab the camera off me by reaching over the top of me. I stopped recording on request. The verbal attacks then started on me as well as the victim and partner as the aggressor resumed her seat. I opened ustream in an attempt to continue filming so that the footage could not be deleted etc. I only got about 12 seconds, of which I explained ustream recording live http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/31937487 .. the footage was cut short as I must have bumped the screen or one of the buttons as the agressor argued with me whilst standing beside my seat, then went to grab the camera.. the image is also mostly frozen as only the audio was streamed for the last few seconds.

I was then subjected to a 30 second long attack where the aggressor attempted to grab my phone.. and even tried to put her hand in my pocket containing my wallet at one stage. As she backed off, I noticed a man (off duty police officer – not identifying himself at this stage) standing near the carriage doors. I asked him calmly to press the red/orange button.. be began to walk up the stairs towards us, I said no need for him to be involved just wanted someone to press the red/orange button that notifies the guard. The man asked if I knew the aggressor, I stated no, he suggested I move to another carriage, I agreed, and immediately moved to the next carriage as the train pulled into Hurstville station.

Upon the doors opening the aggressor then entered my carriage, confronted me and started yelling about the earlier recordings. I did not answer, pressed the nearby red/orange button to notify the guard and stood in the doorway to wave at the train guard 100m away. As the train guard arrived and the aggressor started to yell about the footage, I calmly said to the train guard that I will help him get the train moving, I will either sit off this train and wait for next if she boards, or I will board train if she waits on platform.. she refused.. at which stage the off duty police officer stepped into the conversation and quickly flicked out his NSW police badge, he was wearing thongs and looked like he had spent the day at the ANZAC celebrations. He explained he wouldn’t normally intervene but he is off duty on his way home, and the situation had escalated to a point where he must, he advised he had called for on duty officers and the train guard also advised he had called for transit officers.

I again offered ways to de-escalate the situation, by one of us boarding the train and the other waiting for the next one.. the aggressor refused until I deleted the video footage. I declared I did not feel comfortable deleting the footage showing an attack at this stage, and that I understood my right to film people in a public place. The off duty officer asked the train guard to take his train and leave, I apologised to the guard for inconvenience, and agreed the train should leave as it had already been delayed. The off duty officer remained with us as I looked away and ignored the aggressor  and for the most part he did not talk much either. Within 5 minutes of the train leaving about 30 police officers together came running down the stairs to the platform, shocked I waved to them to call their attention to us. I discussed with one of the more senior officers (not the 2 in captains hats or dress clothes keeping their distance) I explained the situation, similar to above.. and also stated I am not looking to take further or file assault charges, simply I would not stand for this type of behaviour. When the officer asked me to delete the footage stating ‘you cannot record people..’ I declared I would not delete the footage once again, as I did not feel comfortable at this stage. Another 2 officers turned to us and joined an argument, citing a wiretap recording law, I stated I disagreed, showed my press pass for ‘photo journalism’ and said I have the right to film people in a public place, what I do with the footage is a different story re. publication etc. I also explained part of the reason was for the publicly safety, but mainly for raising awareness to such attacks on Australian public transport. The 2 additional officer disengaged from the conversation once I had made my intentions and understanding of the law clear.

Whilst the questioning officer went and spoke with a second officer whom was questioning the aggressor, I had a quick chat with the 2 officers who previously disengaged, they revealed the reason for the 30+ (all units) call was that it was called in as officer being assaulted (for a moment it sounded like she was going to say ‘officer down’). The officers also stated their displeasure at being called to the station as they off shift as well. I sympathised and said I understood it is a big day for the force with major events on etc. I also offered a personal apology to the female officer who had stated she was tired and ‘wanted to go home’.

I was told by the questioning officer in the presence of 3 other officers to at least pretend to delete the footage on their request, i acted along and made the hand gestures as I saw the benefit in de-escalating the situation and getting everyone home.. including me. I was then asked to sit at the other end of the platform and wait my train whilst they continued to talk to the aggressor (raising her voice at the police at this stage). At no stage was I even asked my name, let alone for ID, although if they were quick readers may have read on my press pass.

I then started tweeting and uploading videos.

My thoughts on this and other occurrences of every day racism in Australia… Stand up and say NO to racism.

What would you do in this situation? Would you risk the attack turning on you and possibly becoming violent? Why are NSW Police STILL telling people to delete mobile phone footage? Should we film these events to name and shame, drive the message on the 6pm news? Should we ignore and mind our own business? Do we need to educate Australia and stop the hate messages on immigration from major political parties?

I leave you with a quote that forever sticks in the back of my head and drives me to such actions.

“First they came for the communists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.

Then they came for the socialists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Martin Niemöller (disputed origin)

Note on videos, if you would like to republish I suggest pixelating the aggressors face.. I am supplying un edited without pixalating, I accept this risk however believe that raising awareness to this issue is more important than a legal threat. dispute at legal@karwalski.net

Bradley Manning & Sydney Mardi Gras float

When faced with a question of morality one may push themself to rule right from wrong, based on traditions, laws and of course fear of being punished for doing something wrong. To suggest one’s religion, race or sexuality ‘increases’ their ability to tell right from wrong is not a valid argument, we all have the ability to tell right from wrong.

If questioned on your morality, due to a decision, you should respond to the questioner asking why they believe their ability to tell right from wrong is superior to yours. Just as you cannot conclude someone is immoral due to being a homosexual, you cannot use their sexuality to conclude they have higher morals.

In 2008 a United States soldier Bradley Manning stood in the rain with hundreds of protestors in Syracuse, New York showing support for Californians who lost their newly gained marriage equality and the future from the new surge in activism by the community. Bradley Manning held a hand written placard stating ‘Equality, @ the house, @ the classroom, @ the workplace, @ the battlefield = everywhere’. Bradley was openly gay in his personal life and serving in the military under the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy which did not allow openly homosexual persons, only those who didn’t tell.

Bradley Manning was stationed in Iraq as an army intelligence analyst; Bradley had access to hundreds of thousands of documents for his work. In late 2009 he was using WikiLeaks documentation as source material for his work with the Army, at which time he would join the WikiLeaks IRC Channel (Internet Relay Channel – Online Chat). Bradley became interested in WikiLeaks release of the September 11 pager messages, and he came to the conclusion they were authentic. Bradley stated he was in contact with ‘Nathaniel Frank’ whom he believed was from WikiLeaks, starting in late 2009 and continued to communicate for approximately 6 months in which time Bradley said he provided the Collateral Murder Video, US Diplomatic Cables as well as war logs from Iraq and Afghanistan. Prior to release documents to WikiLeaks Bradley said that had contacted the Washington Post, New York Times and Politico to release the Iraq & Afghan war logs however he believed they were not taking him seriously. Bradley stated in court that no one from WikiLeaks has pressured him into releasing the documents.

Bradley saw wrong, and decided to do the right thing. Bradley used his moral judgement to determine the best action.

Bradley Manning wanted the information to be in the public domain; he believed that it would spark a “domestic debate on the role of the military and our foreign policy in general,” for the people of the United States. He also stated that he believed it was setting the path for the future of open diplomacy, by embarrassing the US, however I stated he did not believe they would cause “damage to the US” as the cables contained “statements of cliques & gossip,”.

“The most alarming aspect of the video to me was the seemingly delightful bloodlust the aerial weapons team happened to have,” Bradley Manning said as he compared the soldier’s in the Collateral Murder video to the act of “torturing ants with a magnifying glass”.

Since 2007, WikiLeaks has had a clear message on their website about its commitment to source protection, with the secure file uploads and recommendations for source protection. Secure leaks via a HTTPS ‘post’ action ensured the uploaded content was sent over an encrypted channel, however for Medium and High Risk submissions further techniques such as not using your own computer where recommended whilst using the Tor Anonymity Networks Hidden services, a method of encrypted rendezvous pointes to assist the two computers communicating over the internet are unable to know each other’s location. From 2007-2009 WikiLeaks supplied a postal address around the world for ‘Truth Facilitators’. The WikiLeaks website stated “For the highest levels of protection you may wish to use our postal submission network.” “Wikileaks truth facilitators will then upload your submission using their fast internet connection.” “..and then destroy the mailed package.”

The WikiLeaks website boasted for years that their sources had never been revealed; unfortunately over recent years alleged sources have been jailed. Earlier this year Internet activist and computer programmer Aaron Swartz committed suicide; many have blamed the aggressive prosecution by the United States Department of Justice as a major contributing factor to his suicide. The official WikiLeaks twitter account, questioning the aggressive prosecution by the department of Justice and stating that Aaron Swartz had been in contact with Julian Assange , also revealed they had “strong reasons to believe, but cannot prove, that Aaron Swartz was a WikiLeaks source”.

In May of 2010 Bradley made contact with a computer hacker Adrian Lamo who had previously made news over high profile hacks. Chat logs supplied to Wired Magazine by Adrian Lamo suggest that Bradley trusted Adrian enough to not only share information of his ‘gender identity disorder’ but also to confess releasing information to WikiLeaks. Adrian Lamo turned the chat logs into the FBI which resulted in Bradley Manning being arrested the same week of May 2010. He was detained for over one thousand days, charged for releasing classified information. According the UN special rapporteur on torture Bradley’s treatment during his detainment was cruel and inhuman.

Today Bradley has read a thirty-five page statement he himself typed and signed, Bradley explained why he released the documents to WikiLeaks and pleading guilty to some of the charges which could have a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. The case is awaiting the Judge to accept the plea, and decision to be made about the further charges.

Bradley Manning reading his plea in court February 28 2013 – Clark Stoeckley

Julian Assange the editor in chief of WikiLeaks was arrested over 800 days ago, spent over 500 days under house arrest and most recently over 250 days in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London. Julian Assange is wanted for questioning in Sweden over allegations of sexual misconduct, whilst Julian has publicly stated he would be happy to answer questions in London, or return to Sweden under conditions ensuring his rights and guarantee of no onward extradition, the UK & Swedish Governments have not honoured his request. The Ecuadorian Government has acknowledged his genuine fear of persecution by the United States Government and granted him political asylum. The Australian Government has also failed to represent Julian Assange’s requests to the UK and Sweden. The United States Government has not ruled out that it will be seeking to extradite Julian Assange. Earlier this week on Australia’s ABC television show Q&A, Australia’s Foreign Minister Senator Bob Carr and the United States Ambassador to Australia Jeffery Bleich both claimed the US is not trying to get their hands on Julian Assange, despite being presented with documents showing the WikiLeaks Grand Jury number. Senator Carr called it a “CIA Conspiracy” – timely given yesterday Freedom of Information documents from the Bradley Manning trial showed the CIA investigation into Julian Assange and WikiLeaks.

A quote by Martin Niemöller which is commonly substituted reads “First they came for the communists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist. Then they came for the socialists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.”

We will speak out for Bradley Manning on Saturday the 2^nd of March in Sydney Australia the Support Assange and WikiLeaks Coalition, (SAWC) will have a float in this year’s Mardi Gras parade not only in solidarity with Bradley Manning’s stand for Marriage equality of those in California, also for Bradley Manning the American Hero and his fight to set the truth free through revolutionary methods like WikiLeaks secure dropbox which allowed him to show how the first world exploits the third and horrendous war crimes that are otherwise hidden under government classification.

One hundred supporters dressed in rainbow colours will march in the annual Mardi Gras Parade in support of Bradley Manning, WikiLeaks and Julian Assange.

More Information on the Mardi Gras event and Media contacts at sawcsydney.org

Read the full transcript by Alexa O’Brien at Pfc. Bradley E. Manning’s Statement for the Providence Inquiry

Or listen to the text-to-speech of the statement http://youtu.be/MulfU7MJmR0

 

What next for CryptoParties? Rebuilding and Thriving

CryptoParty (https://cryptoparty.org/) was born in August 2012, personally I was unplugged and off grid at the time (http://youtu.be/JY-nTnD_I3E). Several twitter users from around the world had been discussing the Australian Cybercrime legislation and the National Security Inquiry, led to the birth of a series of decentralised skill sharing events with the common goal of sharing and discussing tools, methods and best practices for online anonymity and privacy, specifically using encryption methods.

The CyberCrime Bill which passed in August, amends the existing laws including multiple Criminal, Telecommunications Acts. But also extending to global cooperation via the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. Of course the government used the usual excuse of for your safety from the evil Terrorist Pedobear Pirate Scamming BoogeyMans.

The National Security Inquiry, on the instruction of the Australian Attorney-General Nicola Roxon is yet to be drafted, however several concerns have been raised from the discussion papers, most well known the data retention, which would see Internet Service providers required to hold onto your data/or metadata, depending where you read it, for an extended period of time somewhere between 2 years and indefinitely.. The national security Inquiry is to protect you from the evil Tax Cheat Insider Trading Murdering Rapist Terrorist Pedobear Pirate Scamming BoogeyMans. Reference stolen from CCedRoxon video (http://youtu.be/QuiDxuVmmQU).

Without going into the specifics of the CyberCrime Bill (http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r4575) or National Security Inquiry (http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=pjcis/nsl2012/index.htm) at this stage, I invite you all to raise any questions or concerns you have about them, as they both raise serious concerns for the privacy of every internet user and the threats to freedom of expression.

CryptoParty went viral – Whilst not a ‘new’ concept, taking the online world ‘offline’ has escalated in the past few years and is achieving revolutionary things. The speed, clarity and consistency of the message simultaneously reached every corner of the planet.. within weeks of the first tweet, CryptoPartys had been held in 40 odd countries, some hitting hundreds of people, some off-the-record private versions as well as online versions of CryptoParties.

As well as all these meetings a CryptoParty Handbook has been crowdsourced, and the first edition released with over 400 pages, If you have not already started reading, I do recommend you download a copy from the cryptoparty.org website and start reading, in addition if you have the skills and knowledge please also contribute with new material and corrections. Whilst only in the first addition it already contains information on tips, security and encryption for email, internet browsing tips, security and tools, Anonymous publishing, secure and encrypted phone calls and sms, encrypted file sharing, keeping your passwords safe and encrypting your computer’s hard drive.

A bit more on why we CryptoParty, Online anonymity and privacy isn’t an elaborate series of tools and methods to stop the police catching criminals.. rather groups such as Journalists and their sources, activists, computer coders/hackers and includes whistle-blowers and citizens of repressive regimes. The tools, methods and best practices discussed at CryptoParties are the same methods the could be the difference between history in China being erased, a citizen journalist in Syria being killed for publishing a video or an everyday Australian who is simply concerned about their online privacy, when things like their private diary, which they record their thoughts, is easily accessible to any single law enforcement officer in the country, with little to no judicial oversight or accountability.

I personally spend my spare time as an internet rights activist, mostly defending the WikiLeaks organisation. The reason I bring this up, is their model of a right to know information from Governments and Corporations raises a question, which again I hope will be discussed further tonight, about the difference between Government transparency and personal privacy. The protection of whistleblowers using off-the-record, private and anonymous methods are a key pillar in ensuring a civilised society, and put simply, keeping the bastards honest.

In contrast with personal privacy.. arguments like “If you’re not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to hide” are easily dismantled… may favourite is incredibly simple, respond with “Do you have curtains on your bedroom window”
The right to anonymity could potentially start a debate.. and we could end up talking about them nasty trolls.. I personally support everyones right to free speech, even them trolls, and I support their right to anonymity… and I respond to these arguments with the Oscar Wilde quote “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth”.

There are very important threats to understand when using the internet, and a basic understanding of keeping yourself secure is a requirement, even if your only checking emails. Malware, keyloggers, hidden cameras and most importantly (in my opinion) social engineering. Social engineering is basically manipulating a person to release confidential information, weather it be a password, credit card number or an endless list of ways of accessing your devices or online services. We should all use common sense at CryptoParties, and this also goes for spotting snake oil, honeytraps etc.

CryptoParties have open agendas; a combination of speakers addressing the group both in person and via live video and audio links and group discussion, teach, share, learn.. You can also break off into smaller groups to discuss specific topics, beginners can learn the basic software they need, and have someone guide them through installing it on their laptop on the spot… Whilst the techies can collaborate and continue to improve the tools and resources to encrypt the internet.
Most importantly…

CryptoParty’s are about having fun, party like its 1984!

Late December of 2012, whilst the Chaos Computer Club was hosting 29C3 in Hamburg, Germany (https://events.ccc.de/congress/2012/wiki/Main_Page) Twitter commentator and internet rights activist Asher Wolf, who was instrumental in the idea of CryptoParty turning into a global movement (https://twitter.com/asher_wolf), raised serious concerns about misogyny, sexism, harassment and as Asher put it ‘down-right douche-baggery.’ On Asher’s blog post (http://asherwolf.net/dear-hacker-community-we-need-to-talk/101/) several people were named and shamed. An unfortunately for them, they were all accused as being sexist as this was the key title the article went viral using. I do not want to write-off this issue as it is definitely something that does need to be address in all groups, organisations and communities. However, I want to focus on rebuilding CryptoParties to be bigger, stronger and more open to everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion or technical ability.

Jacob Appaulbaum was named in Asher’s blog post, Jacob is a hero to many in the community as has achieved great things, notably his work with the Tor Project (https://torproject.org/) discussed during his key note speech at 29c3 (http://youtu.be/7mnuofn_DXw?t=23m40s), he discussed spilts in community groups and the damaging impact it can have. Jacob made a great reference to a single ‘binary blob’ in a persons actions like a single wrong line of code in an open source software, we shouldn’t get stuck on one thing when people have contributed great things to the community. I believe private dialogue should be used as a first step to address this to avoid smearing the names of people who otherwise have achieved great things, as we all know the beast that is the internet can have huge ongoing ramifications.

I call for more discussion on improving CryptoParties and helping reach the movements goals. And local groups forming organisations like Tor Servers (https://www.torservers.net/) or even just running a Tor Relay of your own or talking to your friends about encryption software that is user friendly. What can we do next, we have had many wins and the opportunity for more are on the internet are on the horizon, can we continue to thrive on the good spirit of our communities and not let movements destroy themselves from the inside.

“Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Politeness…. These four characteristics are the root of all good and bad people. I feel that the lack of these main attributes are the seeds of many others. When you lack respect, politeness, kindness and honesty; you open the doors for greed, hate, distrust and violence. When you have these four characteristics, you open the door for happiness, love, and peace.” ~unknown

Beat The Blockade – Extra gift ideas and donation options

Today BeattheBlockade.org has launched its new Christmas gift idea campaign, with multiple items and e-cards for donation gifts to your friends and family.

Visit the site at xmas.beattheblockade.org

I have come across a few other gift ideas and donation options which support WikiLeaks related groups and individuals.

Bradley Manning Support Network - Stickers, Badges, T-Shirts and banners with proceeds to the Bradley Manning Support Network and Defence https://www.bradleymanning.org/shop

The WikiLeaks Tapes - The DVD created by Cathy Vogan with interviews with WikiLeaks supporters including Noam Chomsky, Daniel Ellsberg, Mary Kostakidis, John Pilger and MANY more. Proceeds help fund the travelling costs, filming and producing of these and future interviews http://thing2thing.com/?p=2693

The WikiLeaks Truck - Stickers, Prints and Customer Guy Fawkes Masks to cover help the cost of the WikiLeaks Truck and expanding the WikiLeaks Fleet around the world - http://cstoeckley.com/WikiLeaksTruck.html

Alexa O’Brien - Donations to cover Alexa’s expenses of reporting on Bradley Manning’s historic, ‘secret’ trial at Fort Meade http://www.alexaobrien.com/secondsight/

Kevin Gosztola – Donations to cover Kevin’s (FDL) coverage of Bradley Manning’s pre-trial hearings. https://secure.firedoglake.com/page/contribute/manning-general

Jeremy Hammond Support Network - ‘Hear Us Now’ compilation CD with proceeds going to defence funds for Jeremy Hammond and the Free Anons Network http://freehammond.bandcamp.com/

Undergound - Book by Suelette Dreyfus & Julian Assange http://www.randomhouse.com.au/books/suelette-dreyfus/underground-9781742752020.aspx

Julian Assange Action Figure - part of the proceeds of the 12 inch action figure go to Wikileaks http://www.thatsmyface.com/vmchk/Celebrity-Action-Figures/Julian-Assange-action-figure/flypage.ilvm_grey.tpl.html

If I have missed any, please responded in the comments and I will update the page.

How to sack ALL of our preselected un-representative’s

Sick of Australian ‘Politics’? Simple solution, send the following letter to the Governor-General… And don’t forget to CC the Queen, Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott. I have been waiting four months with no response, they could do with some reminders from everyone else.

 

Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO
Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
Government House
Dunrossil Drive
YARRALUMLA ACT 2600

 

CC. Her Majesty the Queen, Australian Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition

 

Your Excellency,

I am requesting dissolution of the House of Representatives. I understand there is a constitutional convention that restricts the Governor-General to dissolve the house under advice of the Prime Minister, however as former Governor-General Sir John Kerr exercised his reserve powers in 1975, I request the same again.

I further request that no current or former federal members are eligible for re-election, in order to restore the citizens’ confidence and dignity of Australian Parliament.

I have included Her Majesty the Queen, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Leader of the Opposition Tony Abbott on CC of this letter, as I believe this matter is of serious national importance.

 

Yours sincerely

x

 

Address’ for CC

Her Majesty The Queen
Buckingham Palace
London SW1A 1AA
United Kingdom

The Hon Julia Gillard MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600

The Hon Tony Abbott MP
Leader of the Opposition
Parliament House
CANBERRA ACT 2600

 

Transcript of Speech at Freedom not Fear

Speech I gave at Freedom not Fear, Hyde Park, Sydney on September 15 (Video available here - http://youtu.be/2Ej2f2SjogQ)

–Introduction omitted–

With new and existing legislations, our rights are being taken away at an increasingly fast rate, which is why we are all here today at Freedom not Fear, part of an international movement to raise awareness of Censorship & Surveillance, and fight for Government transparency, whistle-blower & journalist protection and share ideas, tools and techniques like data encryption and online anonymity.

And it’s no coincidence that the key terms I just used are also often used when describing the WikiLeaks organisation we are talking about basic human rights of freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom of thought and many more rights..

Since 2006 WikiLeaks has been successful at opening governments, I wish I could list the millions.. Literally millions of documents they have and still are currently releasing, or even list all those of major significance but we would be here for hours.. Instead I will focus on a select few WikiLeaks releases today.

In 2009 WikiLeaks released the secret blacklist of websites that the Australian Government planned on censoring from the Australian people, are dark insight into the intentions of the government to censor the internet. But what stood out about the list was that half of the sites on the list are not related to child porn, rather they included online poker sites, YouTube links, regular gay and straight porn sites, Wikipedia entries, euthanasia sites, religious sites, fetish sites..

And in a bizarre twist two websites of two small Australian business’.. A tour operator and a dentist.

Earlier this year, WikiLeaks released the Spy Files revealing that the mass interception of entire populations is not only a reality, it is a secret new industry spanning at least 25 countries, and possibly present in Australia. Hundreds of documents from as many as 160 intelligence contractors in the mass surveillance industry. Intelligence agencies, military, and police are able to silently, and on mass, and secretly intercept calls and take over computers without the help or knowledge of the telecommunication providers. Users’ physical location can be tracked if they are carrying a mobile phone, their microphone remotely activated to record conversations, even if it is only on stand-by. In a world with air strikes from drones murdering suspects without trial, where is this headed?

Another release this year by WikiLeaks was the Global Intelligence Files, Millions of emails stolen by Anonymous from the “Private” intelligence organisation Stratfor, with close links to United States authorities, and suggestions of using torture and sexual coercion to get their sources to talk. Among organising a meeting with our now current Foreign Minister Bob Carr, disclosing a sealed indictment for Julian Assange and intimidation techniques used on activist and dissidents throughout the world.

The Stratfor emails revealed a close link with a company by the name TrapWire, owned by the Abraxas & Cubic Corporations. The same cubic corporation that does transport ticketing in Queensland and contracts to the Australian Defence Force. TrapWire uses information from surveillance cameras across the world to record and store on a central database in a secret location to be automatically analysed with other intelligence information and facial recognition. Basically tracking your every move and using algorithms to determine certain behaviours and identify a map of who is friends with who, and where you will likely be on Tuesday morning. Western Australian Greens Senator Scott Ludlam questioned the Government in the Senate as to whether TrapWire is used in Australia, to my understanding he is yet to receive a response from all agencies, and ASIO refuses to answer any questions about anything… but that’s another story..

When you combine technologies I have previously mentioned with the Australian Government’s proposals for the National Security Inquiry, Cybercrime legislation, Signed deals with foreign governments for information sharing as well as existing powers of ASIO and the Australia Federal Police. A database of every citizens ‘meta data’ of emails, browsing history and social networking conversations, and a camera on every street post sounds a lot like the book 1984 written by George Orwell.

The main character Winston Smith is told “Don’t you see that the whole aim of Newspeak is to narrow the range of thought?  Has it ever occurred to your, Winston, that by the year 2050, at the very latest, not a single human being will be alive who could understand such a conversation as we are having now?  The whole climate of thought will be different. In fact, there will be no thought, as we understand it now. Orthodoxy means not thinking-not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.”

We are here today to stand up for our freedoms, which brings me to the surprisingly rare ruling in the Southern District of New York Court in the United States 2 days ago. Judge Katherine Forrest ruled to permanently stop the use of the controversial National Defense Authorisation Act or NDAA, a group of writers, journalists, and activists whose work regularly requires them to engage in writing, speech, and associational activities protected by the First Amendment.  They have testified credibly to having an actual and reasonable fear that their activities will subject them to indefinite military detention pursuant to the NDAA.

In summary, ‘we’ the people won! I should add that within 24 hours of the ruling Barrack Obamas administration announced they would appeal the decision to scrap the NDAA in the Supreme Court.

Judge Forrest gave a 112 page response, which I recommend anyone closely watching Australia National Security Laws reads. She said “How about a YouTube video? Where is the line between what the government would consider “journalistic reporting” and “propaganda?” she asked. “Who will make such determinations? Will there be an office established to read articles, watch videos, and evaluate speeches in order to make judgments along a spectrum of where the support is ‘modest’ or ‘substantial?’”

One of the plaintifs a journalist & activist Alexa O’Brien, who was on the Occupy episode of Julian Assange’s ‘The World Tomorrow’ TV show, Alexa had written about United States cables released by WikiLeaks, about the persecution of Julian Assange and court proceedings of Bradley Manning, and many other WikiLeaks related topics, all of which were referenced in the response. Alexa told the court how she had become aware through WikiLeaks releases that Stratfor was working with current and former intelligence agents to try and link her involvement in the activist group ‘US Day of Rage’ with Islamic fundamentalist movements, the ‘Anonymous’ hacktivist collective and labelling Alexa as a cyber-terrorist.. A cyber-terrorist for being associated with the likes of Julian Assange who has also being labelled a cyber-terrorist.

Julian Assange is currently being held as a pawn in a political move by the UK Government threatening to assault the Ecuadorian embassy… the UK Government threatening to assault the Ecuadorian embassy. Which we have reasonable evidence to suggest was under the instruction of the United States Government.

On behalf of Julian Assange, his father this morning accepted Julian’s Aboriginal Nations Passport presented by the Indigenous Social Justice Association, In addition several Sovereign Aboriginal Nations are considering giving Julian Assange refuge and sanctuary in their Nations.

In December 2010, within days of WikiLeaks releasing CableGate, a quarter of a million cables between United States Embassies and the State Department, The Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard called Julian Assange’s actions illegal, and the former Attorney-General Robert McClelland attempted to cancel his passport, I also allege that Robert McClelland jumped on the phone to his former ALP co-worker, former Visa employee and now Vice President of MasterCard David Masters to conspire with the United States Government in an unprecedented global financial blockade of the WikiLeaks organisation… Financial Censorship.. All of this for someone who had not been charged with a single crime, let alone fair trial. Instead Julian now faces allegations of sexual misconduct in Sweden, which he has offered to answer in the United Kingdom or in Sweden if they simply guarantee they will not hand him over to the United States, the Australian Government refuses to even assist negotiate some basic terms to protect Julian’s rights.

Julian Assange seeks truth & freedom, let’s help Julian by bringing truth out and fighting existing and proposed Orwellian laws.

As I mentioned the people had a victory in the NDAA case! We need to unite and stand together to maintain our freedoms, and get back those that have already been taken from us. We must be able to continue to thrive in Freedom not Fear.

Bob Carr’s secret meeting with Stratfor

Senator Bob Carr was confused and frustrated at being asked a question about a meeting with Stratfor CEO George Friedman during a Q&A session after he delivered a speech to Young Labor delegates and Sydney University students.

Obviously not ready to answer a question about a topic his advisor’s hadn’t prepared him with a brief on prior to speaking, he revealed his confusion as why it takes a citizen journalist to ask him the hard questions and the main stream media keep quiet on this topic.

WikiLeaks describes the Global Intelligence Files as follows;

On Monday February 27th, 2012, WikiLeaks began publishing The Global Intelligence Files, over five million e-mails from the Texas headquartered “global intelligence” company Stratfor. The e-mails date between July 2004 and late December 2011. They reveal the inner workings of a company that fronts as an intelligence publisher, but provides confidential intelligence services to large corporations, such as Bhopal’s Dow Chemical Co., Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and government agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, the US Marines and the US Defence Intelligence Agency. The emails show Stratfor’s web of informers, pay-off structure, payment laundering techniques and psychological methods.

The Wikileaks release of the Global Intelligence Files, reveals emails sent between Colin Chapman the NSW President of Australian Institute of International Affairs, and George and Meredith Friedman in April and May of 2009.

“Bob Carr is the former Premier of New South Wales, and is now a leading
adviser to Macquarie Bank on international issies. He travels a lot.
He wanted to come to the dinner, but himself is speaking at an event in
Canberra that night. I talked with him and he wanted to come but did not
think he could pull out of it and let them down.
He says he would really like to meet you. Is there any time in Sydney you
might have to do that. A breakfast on Monday perhaps? Or any other time?”

Meredith Friedman replied

“I’m sure we can arrange something while we’re in Sydney. Let me look at
our schedule and get back to you.”

Full email available on the WikiLeaks release page http://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/284888_re-bob-carr-.html

Senator Carr denies meeting with George Friedman, saying “He kept the meeting a secret from me” and “wearing a disguise”

Although he also said he would have to check his diary, details of the WikiLeaks release will be supplied to his secratary as requested for further comment.

Whilst the exact day is not specified the timeline provided in the emails suggest the meeting would be organised on one of the following Monday mornings (04-May-2009, 11-May-2009, 18-May-2009, 25-May-2009, 01-Jun-2009, 08-Jun-2009).

Audio of the question put to Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Senator Bob Carr and his answer on the 31st of August 2012.
http://soundcloud.com/user364581776/karwalski-question-to-bob-carr

Full audio of his speech and all questions and answers (missing introduction and wrap up by unknown host)
http://soundcloud.com/user364581776/full-speech-and-q-a-bob-carr

A group of SAWC protesters stood with their backs turned to Senator Carr holding placards in support of Julian Assange. The remained standing for approx 1 hour as Senator Carr delivered his speech.

The question also refers to an email from George Friedman in which he calls all of Sydney University staff and students “dickheads” http://wikileaks.org/gifiles/docs/1050427_re-assange-is-off-the-hook-.html

The SAWC (Support Assange and WikiLeaks Coalition) Sydney sent a request to meet with Senator Bob Carr on the 6th of June, after multiple phone calls his office replied with a rejection at 12.54pm on Thursday the 16th of August. I note the significance of the time and date as it was within 24 hours of the UK Government threatening to raid the Ecuadorian embassy, a couple of hours after Julia Gillard refused to answer questions on the topic, refering them to a statement coming soon from Senator Carr. Infact it was a couple of hours later (after they refused to meet SAWC) when Senator Carr read his pre-prepared statement in response to a question asked by WA Greens Senator Scott Ludlam.

The text of the response from Senator Carr’s office included

“Unfortunately, due to extensive overseas travel and parliamentary commitments, Senator Carr is unable to schedule a meeting.
Our office will advise you if these circumstances change.”

On Wednesday, 12th September 2012, 6 to 8 PM a public forum titled “Public Forum: Assange, WikiLeaks & the Law in a Post 9/11 World”
Venue: The Macquarie Room @ NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney
Speakers
DAN MORI, Lawyer (US Defence lawyer for David Hicks)
WENDY BACON, Journalist & professor
MC DAVID SHOEBRIDGE, NSW Greens MLC
More information: http://stopwarcoalition.org/events/public-forum-assange-wikileaks-the-law-in-a-post-911-world/

Got questions? Twitter @karwalski Email wordpress@karwalski.com

UPDATE: 03/09/2012

Around 3pm on Monday September 3rd, I received a phone call from Daniel Sharp from Senator Bob Carr’s parliamentary office in Canberra. Below is some of the comments he made over the phone.

In regards to a meeting between Bob Carr and George Friedman of Stratfor.

“..we have checked the diaries.. there was no meetings between Bob Carr and George Friedman between April and June 2009..”

In regards to SAWC requesting to meet with a DFAT representative if Bob Carr is ‘busy’

“..nothing has changed in terms of my recent response..”

FOI Release: Department of Finance denies existence of WikiLeaks Banking Blockade docs

I submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Australian Department of Finance, as to information regarding the WikiLeaks Banking Blockade. The requested was refused by Jill Clark, Acting Director, Legal Service Branch, Department of Finance and Deregulation (Contact person is Laura Clark, Administrative Assistant, Paralegal, Freedom of Information, Corporate Services Division, Legal Services Branch, Cheif Operating Officer Group (COOG), Department of Finance and Deregulation)

I have decided to refuse access to the document you have requested, under paragraph 24A of the FOI Act, on the grounds that it does not exist.

I had requested the following.

..between the dates of November 1^st 2010 to July 24^th 2012 unless specified otherwise

Communications between the Department of finance and the former Attorney-General the Hon Robert McClelland or Attorney-General the Hon Nicola Roxon relating to the financial blockade of WikiLeaks

Communications between the Department of finance and the former Prime Minister the Hon Kevin Rudd or Prime Minister the Hon Julia Gillard relating to the financial blockade of WikiLeaks

Communications between the Department of finance and executives of MasterCard Australia relating to the financial blockade of WikiLeaks

Communications between the Department of finance and executives of Visa Australia relating to the financial blockade of WikiLeaks

Communications between the Department of finance and executives of PayPal Australia relating to the financial blockade of WikiLeaks

Communications between the Department of finance and executives of WesternUnion Australia relating to the financial blockade of WikiLeaks

Communications between the Department of finance and executives of Amazon Australia relating to the financial blockade of WikiLeaks

Communications between the Department of finance and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) relating to the financial blockade of WikiLeaks

Communications between the Department of finance and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) relating to the financial blockade of WikiLeaks

Documents which the Department of Finance hold on record relating to the WikiLeaks organisation

Documents relating to research undertaken by any member of the Department of Finance in regards to WikiLeaks on July 23 2012

I submit a FOI Request to department of finance after spotting the Department of Finance’s IP visiting my blog

I submitted the FOI request at 12:45AM on the 24th of July 2012, the same IP address visited the domain of the email address I used to submit the FOI request the following day.

 

Interesting…

FOI Release: No ‘official’ communication between AG and MasterCard regarding WikiLeaks blockade

A follow up to my blog in April, What is the connection between MasterCard, ALP and the WikiLeaks Banking Blockade

Last month I sent a freedom of information request to the Attorney-General Department, I used specific details and a small time-frame to ensure it would get knocked back for being not specific enough.

The following were my requests.

Please send me the date and time of any meetings involving both the Attorney-General the Hon Robert McClelland (including his department staff) and Mastercard Australia’s Vice President David Masters which were scheduled between the dates of November 27 2010 to December 31 2010.

Please send me the minutes of any meetings in which Julian Assange or WikiLeaks were discussed by any parties including both the Attorney-General the Hon Robert McClelland (including his department staff) and Mastercard Australia’s Vice President David Masters which were scheduled between the dates of November 27 2010 to December 31 2010.

Please send me any email, or other electronic messages in which Julian Assange or WikiLeaks were discussed by any parties including both the Attorney-General the Hon Robert McClelland (including his department staff) and Mastercard Australia’s Vice President David Masters which were scheduled between the dates of November 27 2010 to December 31 2010.

Please send me any mailed letters in which Julian Assange or WikiLeaks were discussed by any parties including both the Attorney-General the Hon Robert McClelland (including his department staff) and Mastercard Australia’s Vice President David Masters which were scheduled between the dates of November 27 2010 to December 31 2010.

Please send me any facsimiles in which Julian Assange or WikiLeaks were discussed by any parties including both the Attorney-General the Hon Robert McClelland (including his department staff) and Mastercard Australia’s Vice President David Masters which were scheduled between the dates of November 27 2010 to December 31 2010.

Today I received their decision on my FOI request, as follows;

I am, pursuant to arrangements approved by the Secretary of this Department under section 23(1) of the Act, authorised to make decisions on behalf of this Department, in relation to this matter.
Having made extensive searches and enquiries within the Department, I have been unable to locate any documents that are revelant to your request. I am obliged, therefore, to refuse your request under section 24A of the Act. That section allows an agency to refuse a request if all reasonable steps have been taken to locate the documents sought and it is satisfied that the documents either do not exist or cannot be found. On this occassion, I am satisfies that all reasonable steps have been taken to locate documents, and that this Department is not in possession of any documents which fall within the scope of your request.

The decision was made by Leatah Coutts, Assistant Director, Freedom of Information & Privacy Section, Office of Corporate Counsel, Attorney Generals Department.

The decision would indicate no official communications or meeting were scheduled between the pair, however this does not rule out any possibilities of private meetings or phone calls between the pair.

I grabbed a small section of hay and ran a magnet over it in hope of finding the needle.. Not going to give up on this one, just start using more inventive ways of locating the needle in the haystack.

… And hope my MasterCard still works when I go to buy the groceries…

Australian National Security or Out of Control Spy Agency

I have not been watching very closely, but I did pick-up the joint-parliament committees on the calendar on the aph.gov.au website a few months ago, and spotted the Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security had a scheduled meeting. I knew nothing more of it and made a brief mention of it in a question to the PM on ABC’s Q&A TV series in regards to oversight and transparency. Little was I aware (like most Australians) of the major reforms they are proposing to national security. I am no expert in the field, but I do call on all experts to read the papers put forward by the committee and make a submission as soon as possible! The deadline for submissions is Monday August 6th (thats 4 weeks from the date of this post).

Discussion papers can be found here - http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House_of_Representatives_Committees?url=pjcis/nsl2012/index.htm

On the 8th June 2012 (for the 11th of June episode of ABC’s Q&A with Julia Gillard) although not aired on national TV, I asked the following in a video question;

Prime minister Gillard, My question is regarding freedom of information and the intellegence agency, ASIO. Jokingly someone recently told me that ASIO probably has a file on me. I laughed it off at first, but the curious person I am, I did some digging, and sure enough discovered that in plain english in the FAQ Section of the ASIO website that not only is the agency exempt from the Freedom of Information Act, they are also exempt from the Privacy Act, meaning they can obtain citizens private information from any agency or organisation without them knowing or having the oppertunity to dispute. Weather I be a Assylum Seeker, WikiLeaks supporter, Anti-coal activist or everyday citizen, A system with no proper oversight or transparency is deplorable. And before you answer that Inspector General you appointed has oversight, recent senate committes and upcoming submissions show quite the oposite. How can every day Australians be given a fair-go, when your ‘spy agency’ is out of control?

You can watch the video on ABCs website (poor quality audio) http://www.abc.net.au/tv/qanda/video-questions.htm#id=3e4bc5d8-9585-4ca1-9131-8c0e944bec1d