BY LUKE WEYLAND
SYDNEY — The Socialist Alliance has established its newest branch in Auburn, covering the Western Sydney area from Granville to Strathfield to Yagoona. It has 13 members and a healthy number of supporters and contacts.
The area has NSW's highest percentage of people from a non-English speaking background. There are significant numbers of people from Turkish-, Arabic-, Chinese- and Italian-speaking backgrounds as well as more recent Afghan, Iranian and Sudanese migrants.
The alliance branch will be campaigning for refugee rights, opposing racism, opposing the Iraqi war, supporting the Palestinian people, and opposing the state government's proposals to make Auburn's waste transfer station cater for greater Sydney.
In the past, the Socialist Alliance has initiated and organised successful anti-war and pro-refugee protests in Auburn, as well as public meetings and film screenings
The branch is now organising a protest and petition campaign in support of Afghan refugees in the area (and around Australia) who might soon be deported. The alliance has called a protest for 5.30pm on September 5, meeting outside the supermarket in Auburn Road.
To get involved in the Socialist Alliance's Auburn Branch, phone Angela on 0408 321 327.
From Green Left Weekly, September 3, 2003.
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