By Alex Bainbridge
NEWCASTLE — More than 4000 people protested against Pauline Hanson's May 30 public meeting in Newcastle. The atmosphere was electric as anti-racists confidently demonstrated that we were not prepared to accept racism here.
Despite a major campaign in the establishment media to build up apprehensions about violence, the protest came off without injuries and with only one arrest. Nevertheless, it was an opportunity for people to forcefully demonstrate their anger.
The protest — organised by the Newcastle Anti-Racist Alliance (NARA) — clearly outnumbered the 1200 Hanson supporters the establishment media claim turned up.
"We can claim a major victory tonight", NARA member Geoff Payne told Green Left. "We have demonstrated once again that there are more people opposed to Pauline Hanson's racism than for it. Even the Daily Telegraph had to admit that. We have mobilised tonight, and we will continue to mobilise as often as it takes to defeat this current upsurge of racism."
If Hanson returns to Newcastle, Payne said "Tonight's success means that there will definitely be more people out to protest against her. What's needed now is an ongoing campaign against all racism — especially since the Howard government is cutting immigration, attacking native title and shackling the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission."
An extremely broad range of people participated in the protest, which was jovial as well as militant. Trade unionists rubbed shoulders with religious leaders, and Aboriginal people took up the chanting with Asian students. Some people demonstrated by holding socialist placards while others held candles. One woman sat in a wheelchair blowing a whistle all night.
Some people travelled great distances to be at the protest, including around 200 from Sydney. Nevertheless, claims made in the Newcastle Herald that 90% of the protesters would be from out of town were disproved by the outpouring of Novocastrians from all walks of life.
The "Cultural Stomp — a celebration of cultures" was also held in nearby Civic Park on the same day.
Organisers of the Stomp were concerned about the possibility of violence at anti-Hanson activities. They cited examples of other Hanson meetings and the August 19 workers' demonstration in Canberra where "things" had — supposedly — got "out of hand" as reasons to organise the Stomp on a non-political basis.
Unfortunately, Trades Hall Council and many other forces decided to support this perspective. Two thousand people attended the Stomp, and there was a high degree of mobility between it and the protest.
"We thought it was absolutely crucial to demonstrate clearly our political opposition to what Hanson stands for as well as all racism", Newcastle Resistance organiser and NARA member Kamala Emanuel told Green Left.
"Although it may seem an attractive idea, it is naive to think that simply by providing a non-political 'positive alternative', we will be able to turn the tide against racism. Cultural activities are essential and historically have given a big impetus to political struggle, but cannot be an excuse not to take sides."
"We demonstrated tonight that when it comes to the crunch, people are concerned about politics and will act when they see the need", Payne said.
Predictably, Hanson trotted out the tired claim that she was a victim of attempts to silence her. "In fact anti-racists were simply demonstrating our right to free speech", Payne said.
"Hanson resorts to this tactic to divert attention from the fact that she has no real answers."
The Newcastle Anti-Racist Alliance was initiated by the Democratic Socialist Party in response to Hanson's visit. NARA included groups like the Hunter Christian Institute for Social Justice and Research, the International Community Alliance, Resistance, Newcastle Greens and a range of individuals.
The next major anti-racist event in Newcastle is the Justice Tour meeting on June 12 (see p. 29 for details). For more information about NARA, phone (049) 265 328.
Tim Walgers reports from Brisbane that Hanson's attendance at a One Nation meeting on the Sunshine Coast on May 23 was met by 200 loud and angry protesters.
The hypocrisy concerning "freedom of speech" was made clear when police used force to try to silence the protesters. While Hansonites trampled on the Aboriginal flag inside the venue, police focused on intimidating and physically abusing the crowd.
Megaphones were taken away from protesters, and two people were arrested without reason (police were "unsure" what charges would be brought against the two). At the end of the night, after Hanson had got into her car, one demonstrator was knocked to the ground by police and concussed.