Anti-war activist notebook 3

February 26, 2003
Issue 

Wollongong’s peace train and IWD plans

BY MARG PERROTT

WOLLONGONG — After the 5000-strong February 8 anti-war rally here, a large crowd was expected to travel from Wollongong to Sydney on February 16. Although originally NOWAR had advertised a “peace train” at 9.40 am, which the South Coast Trades and Labour Council had organised to be eight carriages instead of four, demand soon outstripped this.

In the end there were three peace trains from Wollongong — the 8.55am and 9.25am were full, and 9.40am was jampacked! Buses from Kiama missed the connection, filling a peace train of their own, and many others drove to Sutherland and connected with suburban trains there. The Illawarra Mercury estimated at least 2000 made the trip.

Hundreds of anti-war badges were sold on the trains, people carried banners, home-made placards and even dressed up for the event. There was a feeling of hope and determination, that we were going to be part of something really big in Sydney.

The community feeling is solidly against the war. In shops, service stations, taxis, buses, schools and in our medical practice waiting room, people are congratulating themselves for taking a stand against the war, or ruing the fact that they “weren't there”!

The March 5 student strike and the March 8 International Women’s Day protest could be a big anti-war mobilisations as February 8. For the first time in years, Wollongong will hold it's IWD march on the same day as Sydney. IWD will be a march of women and men, the organisation, marshalling, and speakers are all women, and will focus on the effects of war on women. There will be a “women and children only” space behind the Wollongong Women's Centre banner.

For more information, contact Freda at the Wollongong Women's Centre on (02) 4228 1499 or Marg, Nicole, or Amy on (02) 4226 2010.

Fairfield rally says No War on Iraq

BY NATALIE ZIRNGAST

MELBOURNE — More than 70 local residents braved the first rain in many months to rally on February 21 against the war on Iraq. The protest marched up the main street on the footpath and held a speakout in front of the local church.

Protestors vowed to support and build further local actions and meetings to give community members a voice on the issue.

The next DAWG event will be a “No War on Iraq” community meeting, to be held at the Preston Town Hall on March 6 at 7pm. To contact DAWG phone (03) 9486 5472.

5000 high school students 'discover’ March 5 strike

BY MARK CUNICH

WOLLONGONG — Every year, thousands of year 12 students are sent to Wollongong University’s “Discovery Days”. This year, however, things were a little different. When students arrived on February 17-19, the campus was covered with leaflets, posters, badges, political newspapers and anti-war activists, all of which were publicising the March 5 student strike against the war on Iraq.

Hundreds of local students confirmed they would come to the March 5 protest, taking piles of leaflets and hundreds of posters to distribute. Those from further afar showed interest in holding their own actions and forming their own groups. Books Not Bombs organisers spoke to packed lecture theatres, often receiving an ovation.

Students from as far as Bega have shown interest in journeying to Wollongong for the event, and Goulburn students will be organising their own events, including a hunger strike against war. Many teachers were also supportive, agreeing to assist students to get schools cooperation.

A high school-organised Rock Against War concert on February 28 will kick off a week of student action against the war culminating in the March 5 strike.

Next steps for anti-war movement discussed

BY JAMES CAULFIELD

CANBERRA — On February 19, the Greens' Catherine Moore, Labor for Refugees' Nick Martin and the Socialist Alliance's Phil Griffiths addressed the 30 activists present at a Socialist Alliance meeting.

Moore, who will be standing for the Greens in the March 22 NSW election, called for more rallies “in cities and in the bush” against the war. Martin, a Labor Party member, spoke of the need to “collectively undermine the government on this issue”. He argued that the ALP could be won to a more anti-war position. Griffiths argued that a movement which is “as broad as possible” could force an end to Australia's involvement in a US war on Iraq.

The next protest in Canberra will be on March 2 outside the US embassy.

From Green Left Weekly, February 26, 2003.
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