Here the #FreeMcBride banner, painting completed, on my work table in the creative chaos of Havachat, Rockhampton.
Three days work, marking out, masking and painting. Design courtesy Somerset Bean and Cate Adams. Borders yet to be sewn on.
David McBride is presently facing prosecution in the ACT Supreme Court for leaking the Afghan Files.
The leaked files reveal war crimes committed by the Australian Special Forces in Afghanistan. They were the cause of the raid by the Australian Federal Police on the ABC earlier this month.
David McBride faces jail. Vigorous and visible defence for him will not only protect him, but it will also assert the public’s right to know what Australian Special Forces have been doing in Afghanistan these past 17 years in our name.
Some public clamour will also influence how much of the Brereton Report – the outcome of the soon-to-be released, Inspector General ADF’s report into operations of Australian Special Forces in Afghanistan, we the public, will be allowed to see.
I reckon that 17 years in Afghanistan under the US Command and without any effective accountability to the Australian people and their Parliament was more than an exercise in vicious futility.
It also produced a toxic culture within the Special Forces of murder, torture, lies and cover ups. If not exposed and eliminated, this culture will pervade the ADF command for years to come.
Which is why I am supporting him with banner painting.
And it is why I am happy to paint banners for other McBride support groups.
From Graeme Dunstan, Master Banner Maker and Peace Bus captain.