Anti-war students chase Costello

BY JESS MELVILLE

MELBOURNE — One hundred high-school students chased federal treasurer Peter Costello through the streets of Melbourne on November 9, then stormed the steps of Parliament House in a protest demanding an end to war and racism.

The students had walked out of school to attend the protest, organised by High-school Students Acting to End War and Racism (HATEWAR) and the socialist youth organisation, Resistance.

Meeting at Flinders Street station at 1.30pm for a speak-out, the protesters marched to the corner of Bourke and Swanston streets, where they "died" on the road. While tram passengers and shoppers looked on, the students drew chalk outlines around their bodies to represent those already killed in Afghanistan.

As the march continued towards Parliament House, Costello and several minders appeared in view of the protesters. The students immediately followed him, chanting: "Costello, hey, hey, how many kids have you killed today?", to the gratified amusement of many passers-by.

In response, Costello taunted the protesters — skipping and dancing along to the chants. Calling the protesters "kids", he told them that their views "didn't count".

As Costello entered Treasury House, the students attempted to follow. Police and Costello's bodyguards forcibly prevented them, bruising several students and ripping their clothing.

The protesters then raced up the steps of Parliament House, resisting police attempts to remove them and chanting, "1,2,3,4, we don't want your racist war! 5,6,7,8 we will not co-operate!"

"The action was a way for high-school students to 'vote with our feet' the day before the federal election", HATEWAR spokesperson and Resistance member James Crafti told Green Left Weekly. "Because we are under 18, we can't vote. But we can take to the streets to voice our opposition against the storm of racist warmongering. We will not be quiet and we will not give up."

Crafti, along with Resistance members Zina Shanahan and Jess Melvin, had publicised the rally by unfurling anti-war banners and calling out slogans during an address by federal education minister David Kemp on October 23. Although quickly removed by federal police, the students were cheered and screamed at by many of the 1500 high-school students attending Kemp's address.

HATEWAR meets every Saturday at 12.30pm in the Melbourne Central Resistance centre (address on page 2). For more information or to get involved phone James Crafti on (03) 9639 8622.

From Green Left Weekly, November 14, 2001.

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From GLW issue 471