Anti-War Up-Charges Against Anti-Stryker Activists Dropped

DATE: DECEMBER 11, 2003

CHARGES AGAINST ANTI-STRYKER ACTIVISTS DROPPED

THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES

On Thursday, December 11, 2003, the Prosecution dropped charges against all

seven activists who were arrested at public meetings for carrying signs

protesting the Army's Stryker Brigade.

"This is a win for the people and the 'äina, and vindicates our right to

dissent," said Kyle Kajihiro, one of the defendants and Program Director for
the

American Friends Service Committee in Hawai'i. "Arrest and intimidation only

strengthened public opposition to the Army's destructive Stryker force."

Terri Keko'olani Raymond with DMZ-Hawai'i / Aloha 'Äina said "We have a
right

to raise our criticisms and objections in an environment free of fear."

Kajihiro added "The environmental review process should be invalidated due
to

the Army's gross violations of civil rights and environmental regulations.

The Army and certain politicians predetermined that there would be a Stryker

brigade in Hawai'i despite its harmful impacts on health, culture and the

environment, and they tried to use the environmental impact statement to
justify

their decision."

Gwen Kim, a member of 'Ohana Koa / Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific said

"The Stryker brigade represents the largest military expansion threat to

Hawai'i since World War II, and people need to know."

She added "We had to take a stand. If today the military can get away with

saying 'no signs', what's next?"

The Army banned signs at the first two public meetings for its proposed

Stryker Brigade, then reversed its decision for the third meeting. On
October 28,

Kyle Kajihiro, Steve Tayama, Gwen Kim and Bokdong Yoon were arrested at the

Honolulu Country Club for carrying signs into an Army public meeting. The

following night, Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell, Terri Keko'olani Raymond and Pete
Doktor were

arrested for carrying signs into an Army public meeting at Helemano

Plantation.

Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell, a reknown Kanaka Maoli physician said "We're relieved

that they have respected the fundamental human right to freedom of speech,

assembly and protest."

He added "We continue to protest the Army Stryker Brigade and the

militarization of our homeland. The struggle goes on. Step up. Don't be
afraid."



-PAU-



P.S. The fundraising event 5:00 - 9:00 pm on Sat, 12/13/03 at the Center for

Hawaiian Studies is still on! Come celebrate our win and support ongoing

organizing efforts to stop the stryker invasion.



MAHALO NUI TO OUR ATTORNEYS WAYSON CHOW AND ERIC SEITZ FOR STEPPING UP TO
OUR

DEFENSE. Also mahalo to Bonita Chang, Carrie Ann Shirota and Marty Townsend

for their help with the case. Mahalo to all the people who came to our

support! Ku'e military expansion. Ku'e racist attacks on Hawaiians. E kupa'a
i ke

aloha 'äina!