Youth protest against war and WTO gathers momentum

Wednesday, November 6, 2002 - 11:00

BY SIMON BUTLER

SYDNEY — Dozens of high school student activists from Sydney, Wollongong and the NSW Central Coast have pledged to support the November 14 march and high-school walkout against the impending war on Iraq and the exploitative trade policies of the World Trade Organisation.

The youth-led protest will meet at 11am at Sydney Town Hall and march to join an anti-WTO festival at noon in Hyde Park. Given the unfortunate decision of the Hyde Park organising committee to cancel a united march through the city, the youth-led march has taken on added significance.

The Socialist Alliance has endorsed the 11am demonstration as the potential basis for a broad-based anti-war march on the day. The protest has also received the support of the Greens.

Tanya Plibersek, the ALP MHR for Sydney, has agreed to send a message opposing Australian involvement in the US war plans to be read out at the demonstration. According to Plibersek: "Australia must never be drawn into supporting unilateral action [against Iraq] that is designed more for US domestic consumption than for any compelling international reasons."

Other endorsees of the march include: Balmain Youth Organisation, Lauren Carroll Harris (Newtown School of Performing Arts), Karol Florek (Fort Street High), Nikolai Haddad (Palestine solidarity activist), Simon Cunich (Illawarra Grammar School Social Action Group), Jock Palfreeman, Antoinette Abboud, Robin Shannon (Caringbah High), Sarah Peachman (Loreto College, Kirribilli), Rebecca Rubenstein (Loreto College, Kirribilli), Rebecca Anderson (Chevalier College), Julia Morgan (Chevalier College), Jenny Doan (Bradfield College), Jordan Vanderkroft (Lisarow High), Laura Ealing (Illawarra High School Student Social Action Group — IHSSSA), Lindsey Mudge (IHSSSA), Daniel Rowe (IHSSSA), Luisa DeLiseo (IHSSSA), Jacob Smit (IHSSSA), Colin Cortie (IHSSSA), Nicky Crowe (IHSSSA), Kirby Sheilds (IHSSSA), Tim Yourlay (IHSSSA), Nigel Woods (IHSSSA).

For help in holding an anti-war stall at your high school or campus or to get leaflets and posters call Lauren on 0439 872 603.

From Green Left Weekly, November 6, 2002.

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