East Timor/Indonesia solidarity in Hobart
HOBART — Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) recently set up a branch here. It emerged from the university-based group Students in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor in an attempt to broaden the organisation.
Since then a number of successful events have attracted new people to the campaign for democracy in Indonesia and independence for East Timor.
Adam Croser, ASIET activist and member of the Tasmanian Greens, said, "Crucial to the success of ASIET will be its ability to involve members of the community from all organisations, affiliations and occupations".
Carol Mitchell, ASIET activist and member of Resistance, said, "We need to have actions which give people confidence and a sense of empowerment, and inspire them to get further involved in the campaign".
An example of such action was a picket of a guest lecture by the Indonesian ambassador to Australia, Wiryono, at the university law faculty. The picket distributed information and collected donations from those entering. Some of those who attended the forum also turned up at an ASIET public meeting later that night.
Hobart ASIET members are frequently surprised by the level of popular support for their cause. People have been very generous with their donations, and many petitions have been filled.
On the international day of protest for democracy and human rights in Indonesia last October, over $200 in donations was collected during a three-hour picket at a city intersection. A large banner asking passing motorists to "Honk for democracy and human rights in Indonesia" inspired a spirited response.
"ASIET is about challenging the limiting of our compassion to our own borders", says ASIET and Resistance member Cameron Lucadou-Wells.
"ASIET draws inspiration from the example of Australian workers who during the 1940s black-banned Dutch ships travelling to Indonesia to crush the independence movement."