[JNV Press Release] British peace activist jailed today for Afghan war protest

[Justice Not Vengeance]

For Immediate Release

Peace Activist Jailed for Afghan War Protest

Contact 07973 484 202 / 01424 719 570


21 March, Hastings Magistrates Court. Gabriel Carlyle, promotions
worker for Peace News, was jailed this morning for two weeks for
refusing to pay £355 in fines and costs arising from his role in a
2009 anti-war protest.

Gabriel Carlyle, 37, from Hastings, East Sussex, was arrested in May
2009 for taking part in a nonviolent “Die-in for NATO’s Victims in
Afghanistan” outside Britain’s military nerve centre at Northwood, and
later convicted of “obstructing the highway”.

The demonstration – timed to mark the second anniversary of a NATO
bombing attack that killed 47 Afghan civilians – was held to demand an
end to the bombing of Afghanistan and the withdrawal of British troops
from the country [1]. NATO bombing has continued since then [2].

A second local activist, Maya Evans, was jailed earlier this month in
relation to the same protest [3].

Mr Carlyle said: “The recent massacre of 16 Afghan civilians –
including 9 children -  by US soldier Robert Bales is just the tip of
the iceberg of NATO killings in Afghanistan, most of which – unlike
Bales' attack – have not been carried out by “rogue” individuals but
by soldiers following orders. Most Afghans – and most Britons – back
peace talks to end the war, but this option has long been blocked by
the US with British support. In the wake of the Taliban's
“game-changing” announcement that it will open a political office in
Qatar, there is now a crucial window of opportunity for those of us
who want to see peace in Afghanistan to force the US to the
negotiating table and end the bloodshed.”


Contact 07973 484 202 / 01424 719 570


NOTES
[1] http://www.demotix.com/news/76194/wedding-die-protest-london-afghanistan-war-base
[2] See eg. “NATO Confirms Recent Airstrike Killed 8 Afghan
Civilians”, Voice of America, 15 February 2012,
http://tinyurl.com/natoairstrike
[3] Peace activist Maya is jailed over peace protest, Hastings
Observer, 19 March 2012, http://tinyurl.com/mayajailed