MAY 9 2009 UPDATE

(For any who need to know the details of perhaps the greatest contemporary travesty of justice by the politico-legal system against an Australian citizen see the Channel 7 TDT video on the frontpage of http://jmm.aaa.net.au - and chase the links near it).

1. Thanks again to all who supported the 26-hour Easter vigil. We gained over 1200 petition-signatures. Barney Zwartz wrote that excellent article in The Age. It got a mention on a couple of radio talk-back shows (we need to work harder in that arena) and a lot of people became aware of Dawn's plight. (The Diamond Valley Leader has also done a frontpage article on Dawn's story this week).

2. Keep hammering away at Lindsay Tanner's email inbox (Lindsay.Tanner.MP@aph.gov.au): politely, and firmly asking why it's taken so long to make a decision about waiving Dawn's debt to the Commonwealth. Mr. Tanner is obviously preoccupied these weeks with The Budget and we respect his excellent work on our behalf in terms of his Finance portfolio. But 22 years of Dawn's suffering is too long, and a whole year since Jenny Macklin's recommendation that the claim be waived is long enough, surely. Who was that guy in WA who was imprisoned unjustly and last week received a $3.5 million payment in compensation? Dawn's also innocent, and has been imprisoned longer!!!

3. Dawn and I had a useful 45 minutes with my local Federal Labor member, Mike Symon and his PA Pauline a couple of days ago. Dawn did a brilliant job - as usual - in summarizing her case. Mike has agreed to process the petitions in the House of Representatives when it meets again next week.

4. A group of Dawn's key supporters met last Saturday to plan the next phase of our protest, and we agreed to hold regular rolling 'mini-vigils' in very public places - like the GPO steps in Bourke Street - most Saturdays (to start with) 12 noon to 4 pm. I'll be asking a leader to take charge of the process each time to organize things.

===>>> Who's available Saturday May 23rd to join Dawn there between 12 noon and 4 pm? Just turn up: look for the banner and placards. Email me to confirm you'll be there, so we have an idea of numbers...

5. Dawn is receiving invitations to talk to churches and groups about her story. Email her (dawn.rowan@optusnet.com.au) if you'd like her to do that. Philip Island Baptist Church, Sunday May 17th is the next: with my wife (Rev.) Jan Croucher preaching there as well. Thanks Craig Semple and your people for all your support!

6. Please keep the petitions coming: they can be lodged progressively as we accumulate them. Make sure there's a *name* and *signature* on each line. Addresses aren't required these days. Post them back to me when you've got all you can. I'll send a Word document for you to print off if you email me (rccroucher@optusnet.com.au)

Finally a quote from our Australian Prime Minister's favourite theologian:

"Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness, and pride of power, and with its plea for the weak. Christians are doing too little to make these points clear ... Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more, than they are doing now." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Shalom/Salaam/Pax! Rowland Croucher

http://jmm.aaa.net.au/

Justice for Dawn Rowan - http://dawnrowansaga.blogspot.com/