The defence case continued today in Her Majesty The Queen Against Mary Jane Pena et Al. X043738 New Westminster Registry. Courtroom seven, with its bullet and bombproof steel and glass curtain separating the body of the court from the gallery, its $50,000 worth of new surveillance cameras, a monitor and VCR for courtroom security and armed sheriffs, was described in a March 2, Toronto Star article as a "surreal...bulletproof glass cage resembling a giant fish tank....in stark contrast to the highly publicized event that prompted it, there has been little media coverage of this 8 month long trial."
Today's proceedings in BC Supreme Court began with weapons dealer and "consultant" Aubrey White. White testified that he received a fax from RCMP assistant Commissioner Murray Johnston requesting two fifty calibre belt fed machine guns. These were purchased by the RCMP for $16,000.
Correspondence from BC's NDP Attorney General Ujjal Dosanjh to Canadian Solicitor General Herb Gray on September 15, 1995, requisitioned "four fifty calibre Mcmillan Sniper Rifles complete with 4 x 40 Leopold scopes, accessories and ammunition." Dosanjh also holds the portfolio as Minister of Human Rights in BC's New Democratic Party Government.
Dr. Bruce Clark, imprisoned counsel of choice for many of the Ts'peten Defenders, also gave testimony today. This will be dealt with in a separate release. Verbatim transcript of this internationally acclaimed indigenous rights scholar and counsel's submissions will be posted to the S.I.S.I.S. website when they become available.
FREE WOLVERINE! FREE THE TS'PETEN DEFENDERS! FREE DR.BRUCE CLARK!
---------DEMAND A PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO THE GUSTAFSEN LAKE AFFAIR---------
=====AND THE NDP GOVERNMENT'S ROLE IN IT: SILENCE IS COMPLICITY=======
Sample letters and links to politicians' email are on the Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty (S.I.S.I.S.) site, at:
http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/gustlake/letter.htmlPlease send a copy of your letter to S.I.S.I.S.
Splitting the Sky - Phone/Fax: (604) 543-9661Ts'peten Legal Defence Team:
Bill Lightbown - Phone: (604) 251-4949
Manuel Azevedo, phone: (604) 687-0231, fax: (604) 687-0241Settlers In Support of Indigenous Sovereignty:
Margaret Clark, c/o phone: (604) 687-0231, fax: (604) 687-0241
PO Box 8673, Victoria, BC Canada V8X 3S2
Email: uc389@freenet.victoria.bc.ca or riwaasa@indiana.edu
WWW: http://kafka.uvic.ca/~vipirg/SISIS/SISmain.html