Hundreds oppose state funeral for 'dictator'

Wednesday, May 11, 2005 - 10:00

BRISBANE — On May3, 400 people rallied in King George Square to protest against the state funeral held in Kingaroy that day for former premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen.

Speakers included veteran left activists Brian Laver, Drew Hutton, Carole Ferrier and Ian Rintoul. They highlighted the repressive character of Bjelke-Petersen's government, including its outlawing of street protests, police persecution of Indigenous people and the sacking of 700 electricity workers during the 1985 SEQEB dispute.

The protesters marched on state parliament to protest Labor Premier Peter Beattie's decision to commit public money to "bury a dictator".

James Pyke

From Green Left Weekly, May 11, 2005.

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From GLW issue 626

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In these days of growing media concentration, Green Left Weekly is a proudly independent voice committed to human and civil rights, global peace and environmental sustainability, democracy and equality. By printing the news and ideas the mainstream media won't, Green Left Weekly exposes the lies and distortions of the power brokers and helps us to better understand the world around us.

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