BY LESLIE RICHMOND
ADELAIDE On October 5, some 3000 people joined a protest rally and march organised by the Network Opposing War and Racism (NOWAR) against the US-led war drive against Iraq.
Anglican archbishop Ian George, Uniting Church social justice and solidarity officer Julia Pitman, and United Trades and Labour Council secretary Janet Giles addressed the protesters on the impact that a war will have on the people of Iraq. They called on the Australian government to withdraw its support for military action, and work for peace.
Vietnam veteran Kerry Seebohm and ex-paratrooper Jim Murphy spoke of the willingness of governments to use military force and expend lives for political goals that have nothing to do with the interests of ordinary people.
David Palmer, senior lecturer in American studies at Flinders University, said that behind the Bush administration's desire for an attack on Iraq was a drive by the US ruling elite to extend US political and economic domination in the Middle East.
Many at the rally stated that it was the first protest action that they had ever been involved in, but declared it would not be the last.
NOWAR is currently planning a public meeting about the war in late October, and has begun organising another rally for early November. NOWAR can be contacted on 0414 773 918, or (08) 8332 4861.
From Green Left Weekly, October 16, 2002.
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