Huge protests planned for Bush visit

September 24, 2003
Issue 

BY PIP HINMAN

SYDNEY — At its September 15 meeting, attended by more than 60 people, the newly formed Stop the War Coalition decided to organise a giant protest when US President George Bush visits Australia in late October.

Seventeen organisations attended the coalition meeting, including four local peace groups, Sawiyan — Committee in Solidarity for Palestine; the Other September 11 Committee; Friends of the Earth; Illawarra NoWar, the Socialist Alliance, the Greens and Books not Bombs.

After some debate, it was agreed to focus the protest around the following demands: Troops out of Iraq; No free trade agreement; Break the Howard-Bush alliance; and Justice for Palestine. Other networks, communities and groups are being encouraged to issue their own calls in support of the protest.

Nick Everett, from the Stop the War Coalition, told Green Left Weekly that he expected the protest to be huge given the mass opposition to the war on Iraq. "We're appealing to the 500,000 people who marched on February 16 in Sydney against the war to come out again against the occupation", he said. He also said that calls from the media had been coming in thick and fast.

Brian Webb, also from Stop the War, said he expected that people who were opposed to the US government's support for global trade agreements that privilege the rich countries over the poor would also mobilise. "The US government's refusal to sign on to the Kyoto greenhouse protocol and the nuclear non-proliferation treaty; and its support for compliant dictatorships, such as in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will bring people out to "welcome" Bush", he added.

Rihab Charida from the Sawiyan — Committee in Solidarity with Palestine said that the US government's support for Israel's war on Palestine would spur people to support the protest.

Given that Bush's travel schedule is not yet clear, he is likely to be in Australia for just 24 to 36 hours, Stop the War has called a demonstration for 5pm at Town Hall the day he arrives in Australia, which could be any time from October 21. The Sydney Peace and Justice Coalition is organising a "Bush — not Wanted" "muster" on October 19 at Prince Alfred Park.

Stop the War is also supporting a planned national convergence in Canberra organised by the ACT Network against War. Bush is expected to address Parliament, although it is not scheduled to sit that week. Sydney people wishing to go to Canberra should contact Stop the War.

The Stop the War Coalition will meet every Monday at 7pm at the Spanish Club (third floor meeting room), corner of Liverpool and George Streets, City.

For more information phone Nick Everett on 0409 762 081; Brian Webb on 0425 347 634; Rihab Charida on 0405 760 929 or Bashir Sawalha on 0413 859 060. Visit the national Bush protest website at <http://www.stopdubya.com>.

From Green Left Weekly, September 24, 2003.
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