Man charged over email to US embassy

By SCOTT MACLEOD

Bruce Hubbard's email to the United States embassy accused the superpower of dropping napalm on babies, invading 72 countries and having Nazi leanings.

On Monday, the 38-year-old Auckland peace activist will appear in the North Shore District Court charged with misusing a telephone - for which he could receive up to three months in jail or a $2000 fine.

The police reaction to Hubbard's email has civil libertarians worried about free expression and the new Counter-Terrorism Act, which they say could be used to curb peaceful protest.

Hubbard and fellow activist John Minto say police have threatened to seize Hubbard's computer under the act and delve into his files on peace activities.

But police say a woman at the embassy was offended by the email and they have no intention of seizing Hubbard's computer.

Hubbard yesterday sent the Weekend Herald a copy of his brief and somewhat garbled email, which was headed "to the USA, embassy".

It reads: "Drop napalm on babies and kids in Afghanistan and Iraq and have invaded 72 other nations since to install US-backed military dictatorships to smash popular democratic freedom".

Attached was a quote from former South Africa President Nelson Mandela: "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty."

Hubbard said he would plead not guilty to the charge and would claim in court that statements in the email were based on fact. He was charged on Thursday night by police officers who had earlier visited his parents' home.

Hubbard is a Marxist and a member of left-wing groups Global Peace and Justice and Students for Justice in Palestine, and the Green Party.

The officer who charged Hubbard, Detective James Watson, said yesterday that he had seized nothing from his computer and had no intention of doing so.

Police had received a complaint about the email from a woman at the embassy three weeks ago.

The Herald yesterday received letters protesting against Hubbard's charges, and several websites aired concerns about encroachment on democratic freedoms.