Action Updates

Anti-war recruitment centre

MELBOURNE — Twenty-six activists occupied an army recruitment centre on November 6 and transformed it into an anti-war recruitment centre. Posters were stuck on the windows, while activists campaigned outside. Chanting "No racism, no war", the activists opposed Australian involvement in the looming US/UN war on Iraq. The occupation ended peacefully.

North Queensland anti-war rally

ROCKHAMPTON — Around 70 people gathered here on November 2 to denounce the federal government's support for a US war on Iraq. The crowd heard speakers from the National Tertiary Education Industry Union, Resistance, the Socialist Alliance and a high school student activist. Following the rally, a screening of John Pilger's Paying the Price: Killing the Children of Iraq attracted 20 people.

Solidarity with anti-WTO Protest

ADELAIDE — On November 15, Reclaim The Streets will hold a "local vibes, not corporate lies" event has been timed to show solidarity with the protests against the World Trade Organisation meeting in Sydney. The action will get underway at 4pm in Hindmarsh Square.

Marrickville peace group launched

SYDNEY — A meeting of 50 people on November 6 decided to form the Marrickville District Peace Group. It was addressed by Senator Kerry Nettle and Marrickville Greens candidate Colin Hesse. Participants discussed how to organise opposition locally to the pro-war agenda of the two major parties.

The group decided to campaign to encourage people to attend the November 30 rally. Locals are to meet outside the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre at 10.30am on the day and march to the main rallying point at Sydney Town Hall. Phone Colin on 0405 009 435 to get involved.

Nuclear irradiation plant opposed

BRISBANE — Activists gathered at Parliament House on October 29 to protest the Queensland Labor government's approval of the nuclear irradiation plant being built in Narangba.

Robyn Taubenfield from Everyone for a Nuclear Free Future pointed out that the government's approval of the plant was against ALP policy. Michael Pedder from the Brisbane Regional Environment Council warned that spills from the plant could endanger the wetlands surrounding the site. The Greens' Dick Copeman also spoke.

No war on Iraq rally

LAUNCESTON — One hundred people rallied and marched against war on Iraq on November 2. Tasmanian Aboriginal community leader Michael Mansell spoke against the war and existing sanctions regime.

A range of other political, academic and religious figures also spoke, urging rally participants to get involved in building a peace movement. A group of Launceston College students bearing a banner declaring "Students for Peace" led off a march.

The rally was organised by No War on Iraq, which will have its next meeting on November 9 at 2pm at Andy's cafe, 81 York St. Phone Kamala on (03) 6327 1751 for more details.

From Green Left Weekly, November 13, 2002.

Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.

From GLW issue 516