1000 protest in Daylesford
BY MARG MURPHY
DAYLESFORD, Victoria — Inspired by the February 14 massive mobilisation in Melbourne, around 1000 residents took over the main street on February 22 to say "no to war". The arriving crowd was greeted by the song "Imagine", then we were addressed by a range of local speakers including poet laureate Len Reason.
Reason told the rally: "Peace will only come in its rainbow bus when people realise that them is us." Local Greens candidate Cherie Bridges noted that "John Howard doesn't seem to want to help refugees, but he's willing to create them."
The crowd was also addressed by the Venerable Kelsang, a Tibetan monk, who advised, "We should all be developing a spiritual humanitarian approach. It is vital for the long term benefit of humanity, not the short term benefit of a few."
Following the speakers, local band Tutti Frutti led the marchers up the main street, singing John Lennon's "Across the Universe". The march began and ended at the War Memorial. The crowd included Prams for Peace, Donkeys for Peace, a 90-year-old war veteran and many children. Amongst the banners was "Don't mess with Mesopotamia" and one colourful observation: "Lies, Deals, Racism, Hypocrisy, War: What is this? Bush Week?"
Anti-war campaign boosted
BY BILL MASON
BRISBANE — The anti-war movement received a massive boost from the historic march of 100,000 people through Brisbane on February 16. Action against the war is continuing. Regular speak-outs against the war are being held on Friday nights on the steps of King George Square, sponsored by the Stop the War Coalition (STWC). There was a lively protest there on February 21.
A rally and march from inner-suburban West End to the city is planned for noon on March 1, initiated by the Socialist Alliance and the Greens. It has been endorsed by the Palestinian Association, STWC and Resistance. The rally will commence at the West End Community Park, Boundary Street.
Peace embassy
BRISBANE — Activists will launch a "Peace Embassy" in King George Square at lunchtime on February 27. Endorsed by the Peace Network, the embassy will be an activism and information base for anti-war activities. The activities of local and regional groups will be promoted. A "peace plebiscite" will be conducted from the embassy. Phone 3831 2644 for more information.
Launceston steps up anti-war campaign
BY KAMALA EMANUEL
LAUNCESTON — After the 3000-strong anti-war march here on February 15, the No War on Iraq group met on February 20 to discuss the next steps in the campaign.
In addition to encouraging people to write letters to local newspapers and phone talk-back radio shows, we pledged to support the March 5 student strike against the war and the March 8 International Women's Day peace march as the next big anti-war demonstrations.
There was strong sentiment at the meeting that Palm Sunday is too long to wait for another big demonstration. It was decided to build a protest action in Launceston to coincide with the March 23 anti-war convergence on Canberra. "If we can't go to Canberra ourselves, we'll bring Canberra here", declared Democrats activist Craig Cooper.
No War on Iraq meets Fridays, 7pm, at the Online Access Centre in the State Library, Launceston. Phone (08) 6327 1751.
Seven-hundred and fifty people protested in Devonport on February 15.
North-east NSW anti-war protest
BY JANET COX
KINGSCLIFF — Around 1500 attended a February 16 rally here to oppose a war on Iraq. It was organised by the Tweed Oeace Coalition. Kingscliff is a seaside town, just south of Tweed Heads on the border with Queensland. Nothing like it has happened in the 20 years that I have lived in the region.
From Green Left Weekly, February 26, 2003.
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