Socialist activist among "top ten" protesters

Alex Bainbridge

Socialist Alliance member Kamala Emanuel was labelled one of Tasmania's "top ten protesters" by the March 29 Mercury, alongside the likes of Greens Senator Bob Brown, gay rights activist Rodney Croome and Gardening Australia presenter Peter Cundall. "Tassie's top ten" is a weekly column that has featured such topics as restaurants, beaches and artists.

The column painted a positive overall picture of protesting, which is rare in the corporate media. "Blessed be the protesters for they will change the world", wrote John Briggs.

"While politicians might kid themselves about power emanating from the hallowed halls of parliaments and party rooms, the politics of the streets has existed for thousands of years and we can only hope it continues that way.

"From slave revolts in ancient Rome to the storming of the Bastille or saving a wild river, people power has reigned."

The column described Emanuel as a defender of "the rights of students, women and the disadvantaged" and said that she "is always there speaking out against war, imperialism and the exploitation of the powerless".

From Green Left Weekly, April 13, 2005.

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From GLW issue 622