Nike forced to close
MELBOURNE — Corporate giant Nike's city superstore was forced to cease trading for more than an hour on April 27 after 100 protesters blockaded it for fifth Friday night in a row.
Blockaders demanded an end to Nike's use of sweatshop labour to produce its overpriced shoes and apparel, its continuing sexual abuse of women employees and its anti-union tactics. Nike was condemned for refusing to sign the home workers' code of practice that would guarantee thousands of Nike outworkers basic conditions of employment.
"We'll see you at M1", the crowd chanted before dispersing.
On April 20, 60 protesters also forced the store to stop trading for an hour. Without warning, police punched, kneed and used pressure-point holds to push their way through the blockade.
Another blockade of the store, on the corner of Swanston and Bourke streets, will take place on Friday, May 5, at 6pm.
Anti-abortion march opposed
MELBOURNE — On April 8, 20 women and two men attempted to blockade 30 "right to life" walkers as they proceeded down Sydney Road to Parliament House under police escort. The walk was to raise money for the Right to Life Victoria. Right to Life is an organisation that opposes and undermines freedom of choice for women by lobbying politicians to restrict abortion services.
March for Justice
MELBOURNE — Seventy people rallied outside the Northcote Town Hall on April 18 to show their support for the threatened Darebin Community Legal Centre. The DCLC, like all community legal services in the Melbourne area, is under threat of closure if a joint commonwealth and state government review recommends the restructuring of the services.
The rally heard from DCLC workers and volunteers about the range of free legal services provided to the local community. It is also feared that fees will be introduced and clients means-tested. The rally ended with a short march to local federal MP Martin Ferguson's office to deliver a petition. Although Ferguson was unavailable, he had earlier indicated his support and agreed to take the matter to federal attorney-general Daryl Williams.