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Stopping the war machine in Spain

Greenpeace flagship the MV Rainbow Warrior blocks the Marchwood Military Port in Southampton today while activists paint an anti-war message on the stern of a military supply vessel as part of the global campaign to prevent a military attack on Iraq. Greenpeace believes the possibilty of war would kill hundreds of thousands of civilians and increase the chances of weapons of mass destruction being used. Enlarge Image

UK military port blocked

Days after the Rainbow Warrior entered Marchwood Military port in Southampton and blocked the departure of UK military supply vessels heading for the Iraqi conflict in the Gulf, activists board and set up peace camp on military supply ship.

Greenpeace flagship RAINBOW WARRIOR setting up peace blockade at Southampton's Marchwood military port stopping military hardware leaving for the Gulf. Enlarge Image

Rainbow Warrior seized

For the last six days Greenpeace activists have peacefully protested in a UK port where military supply vessels are preparing for departure to Iraq. A High Court ruling has recognised Greenpeace's right to protest and denied the Defense department's request for an injunction banning the Rainbow Warrior from the area. But under the cover of darkness early Sunday morning Ministry of Defense officials defied the high court decision forcibly removing the Greenpeace ship from the Southhampton docks.

Fourteen of Greenpeace volunteers entered Southampton's Marchwood Military Port and occupied tanks and jeeps queued up to be loaded on the roll-on/roll-off ferry Stena Shipper bound for the Gulf. Enlarge Image

Tank girls occupy war machine

Despite growing public opposition to a war with Iraq, day and night British tanks, helicopters and jeeps are streaming though Southampton as part of the build up of the war machine. For over a week we have tried to stop the supplies from loading and leaving the Uk and today 14 volunteers entered the military port occupying tanks and jeeps ready to roll on the ferry Stena Shipper bound for the Gulf.

Greenpeace activists used life rafts and canoes to build a floating peace camp along the quayside in the Belgium port of Antwerp. Military water cannon are visible in background. Enlarge Image

Blocking war machine in Belgium

As the thunder of war continues to rumble, Greenpeace continues to roll -- at this moment blocking the movement of tanks and battle machinery toward Iraq.

Ten Greenpeace activists climbed onto the harbour's lock gates and sealed it shut to prevent four ships loaded with US military equipment bound for the Gulf leaving the harbour and a US navy vessel entering it to be loaded. Enlarge Image

Instruments of war on the move

Greenpeace activist Tracy got a plankton's eye view of a US war machine as it entered Antwerp harbour to load up with supplies bound for the Gulf. The dock is lined with tanks, helicopters, jeeps and other military supplies and every day ships are coming, loading and heading straight for certain war. Join the millions saying no to war.

Greenpeace activists are over powered by a policeboat as they try to prevent the Dutch hired vessel NDS PROGRESS from leaving her berth in Rotterdam harbour. The ship is carriying US militairy equipment, bound for the Gulf adding to the arms build-up to war against Iraq. Enlarge Image

US military shipment confronted

Rotterdam harbour was the latest scene of opposition to the military build-up in the Gulf. Activists in canoes and inflatables attempted to prevent a cargo ship loaded with US military equipment, from leaving port. Read a first hand account from the scene.

The Rainbow Warrior is in Cadiz in the southwestern part of Spain for its latest stop campaigning against war. Enlarge Image

Spanish people say no war

It is spring in Spain, the sun is shining and the countryside is being covered in a blanket of green, fragrant yellow flowers are growing on gently rolling hills. No wait, those are not hills, they are ammunitions bunkers buried in the ground behind three razor wire fences guarded by video cameras and regular patrols on a joint US and Spanish military base.

Greenpeace activists protesting in front of the US and Spanish naval base in Rota where there is a heavy presence of military vessels and preparations being made for the Gulf.. Enlarge Image

Fingers on the triggers

The US Navy kept more than a close eye on Greenpeace activists this morning as the Coast Guard vessel Dallas left the US and Spanish naval port in Rota. The activists were escorting the vessel out of the port and were immediately pounced on by three police boats and a helicopter flying just metres above our inflatable boats while the coast guard crew manned the 20mm canons.

The Rainbow Warrior has been boarded by the Spanish Guardia Civil at port entrance of Rota Naval Base. Enlarge Image

Seizing rainbows and stopping war

The Rainbow Warrior was seized while trying to stop the march of the war machine, our captain and several crew members were injured during arrests. But ours are minor bruises and sprains compared with the death and destruction a war on Iraq would cause for thousands of innocent people. We dare to dream that this war can be stopped.

Greenpeace activists stage action in front of Hong Kong Legislative Council, calling on the government not to be complicit in the illegal war on Iraq Enlarge Image

US unilateralism no laughing matter

"Frustrated with the United Nations' consistent, blatant regard for the will of its 188 member nations, the US announced Monday the formation of its own international governing body, the USUN." Some would merely laugh off this satirical story in America's Finest News Source, The Onion. But as the Arab League calls for an emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly to halt the illegal, unilateral war on Iraq we must ask, is it really just a laugh?

Greenpeace activists from the Greenpeace vessels, Rainbow Warrior and Argus display a peace symbol on the side of two of the transport vessels -CATHERINE and REPUBLICA DE ROMA which are shipping helicopters, tanks, trucks and other military vehicles to the Gulf. Enlarge Image

The second superpower

On February 15th, 2003, history saw the world's first truly global anti-war demonstration. It didn't stop a fundamentally flawed war. It didn't make a US president who wasn't elected by a majority of Americans listen to the majority of world opinion. It didn't prevent over 10,000 civilian deaths. Yet that day has yielded real results, and the 30 million people who took time to say "No" to war sent a potent signal of hope: peace can speak with one voice.

25 activists climbed onto the famous Brandenburg Gate with banners saying 'no war' and 'old Europe says no war' . Enlarge Image

Year one of war

Last February, 30 million people took to the streets to oppose the invasion of Iraq. "Let the Inspections Work!" and "No War for Oil!" the banners read. Twelve months ago, the bombing started, the troops landed and the tragic story of the Iraqi people's suffering continues to this day.

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Latest Update

Latest update: 2.00 CET Saturday The police smashed their way into the bridge of the Rainbow Warrior a half hour ago. The police were very excited and acted violently pushing their way through the crew to get to the captain and arrest him. Both the captain Daniel, the Bosun Phil and Carlos the Spanish campaigner have been arrested and charged with serious disobedience, they will have a hearing in the morning. The Rainbow Warrior was towed back to Cadiz harbour and the ship is not allowed to leave. We stopped the war machine for more the 14 hours. Updates: 10.00 CET Tracy from Canada is on the bridge of the Rainbow Warrior and describes the scene in the military port of Rota where we are blocking a US military cargo ship loaded with war supplies from leaving. 11.00 CET Activist and boat driver Timo is back on board the Rainbow Warrior after dropping off a climber and having his boat seized. Listen to his update. 17.25 CET The two activists arrested were released after being charged with severe disobedience and are now safely back on board. The Rainbow Warrior is still anchored outside the harbour entrance and we have stopped the US military cargo ship from leaving. 18.30 CET The chief of police is now on board the Rainbow Warrior with three other officials. They presented an order from a judge to leave the anchorage in front of the military port immediately. The order authorises the police to board the ship and arrest the captain if we do not leave. Guess what we’re going to do. 21.00 CET Two hours ago about 20 Spanish police officers boarded the Rainbow Warrior. We have barricaded ourselves in and the police have not yet found a way to move us or get into the ship. It's getting hot and steamy on the bridge, but we had some lovely freedom pie for dinner. We are staying here to stop the war machine from leaving.