Byron and Brendan travelled to Washington DC on June 4,1999, along with 70 other activists from around the nation as part of ETAN's lobby days. They spent two days over the weekend training with ETAN and several days during the week visiting congressional offices on Capitol hill, garnering support for bills which cut US military training programs with Indonesia and to call for disarming the pro-Indonesian paramilitary groups whose violence threatens to derail the August 8 "consultation" in East Timor, where East Timorese for the first time will be able to decide whether they will join Indonesia or opt for independence.

Brendan and Byron, decked out in lobbying attire, in front of the Capitol.

Byron in the corridors of power - the House office building.

Byron demonstrating at the Indonesian embassy.

Brendan demonstrating at the US state department.