News Briefs

Anti-war forum discusses movement building

HOBART — A Socialist Alliance-initiated meeting on November 20 provided a forum for people to discuss the best way to oppose war on Iraq. Participants were addressed by federal Labor MP Harry Quick, Resistance member Julie Green and the Socialist Alliance's Peter Baker.

Quick called on all politicians to take a principled stand against the government's support for a US-led attack on Iraq. He urged all people to contact their local MPs and also Labor leader Simon Crean, to tell them that people do not want war on Iraq.

Green said that the anti-war movement must take up the demands for justice for the Third World. Baker spoke about the situation in Palestine, arguing that peace in the Middle East would only come after the Israeli war on Palestine is ended and social justice enacted.

Asylum seekers returned

One-hundred-and-thirteen Afghan asylum seekers held on the island nation of Nauru were "voluntarily" repatriated to Afghanistan on November 16, the largest group to return so far. They took up the government's offer of $2000 each to help them start their lives.

Three-hundred and eighteen of the remaining 549 Afghans imprisoned on Nauru have reportedly accepted the reintegration package. There are indications that the offer was accepted under duress. The remaining 200 Afghans, who are refusing to go home, face forced deportation on flights to Kabul early next year.

Peace meeting

MELBOURNE — The Moreland-Darebin Peace Network held a public meeting against the war on Iraq at the Brunswick Town Hall at 7pm on November 19. 40 people listened to speakers discussing the causes of the war and its impact on Australian politics.

Reclaim the streets

ADELAIDE — As the protesters against the World Trade Organisation (WTO) mini-ministerial meeting in Sydney wound up their protests on November 15, Adelaidians reclaimed their streets as a show of their solidarity.

The group of around 200 people meandered its way through the city streets, stopping randomly for games, music, and chants in front of motorists, pedestrians and police. The main focus, apart from the WTO, was on more education funding, refugees' rights and opposition to the war on Iraq.

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From Green Left Weekly, November 27, 2002.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 518