500 protest in the ACT
BY MARK ABBERTON
CANBERRA — On January 31, 500 people participated in rally opposing a war on Iraq. The protest was called by an ACT Network Opposing War (ACTNOW) public meeting on January 23.
Bob Douglas from ACTNOW called for Australia to withdraw its support for the war and for PM John Howard to bring the troops home, regardless of whether war whether UN sanctioned or not.
Sunset 'peace offering'
BY RUTH RATCLIFFE
DARWIN — On January 30, 300 people attended a sunset "peace offering" at Nightcliff Jetty organised by the No War Committee.
Many of those participating were dressed in white or wore white armbands or ribbons, and brought flowers. Many brought musical instruments and home-made placards. The protesters held a silent march along the sea front.
The No War Committee is planning three days of anti-war protest action on beginning with a "Make Love Not War" media event on February 14 and culminating in a rally at Nightcliff markets on the February 16. The No War Committee meets each Wednesday at 5:30pm at the Cavanagh Bar, 30 Cavanagh St, Darwin.
Springwood lunchtime rally
BY LINDSAY ROWAN
SYDNEY — Anti-war protesters held at lunchtime rally on January 31 outside Liberal MP Kerry Bartlett's office on the main street of Springwood in the Blue Mountains.
The 100-strong crowd created a giant peace card covered with signatures and anti-war messages to be delivered to Bartlett.
Speakers at the rally encouraged all present to travel into the city for the February 16 mass march against the war on Iraq.
Activists, buskers against the war
BY RACHEL EVANS
MELBOURNE — Organised by the newly formed Darebin Anti-War Group (DAWG), activists took to Preston Markets on January 25 to build opposition the upcoming war on Iraq. In a blastingly hot day, we spruiked, collected signatures on an anti-war petition and handed out information for nearly four hours.
The high opposition to the war was evident from the people flocking to the petition. A nearby busker declared his songs to be anti-war. One Iraqi who dropped by the stall insisted on shaking the hand of everybody there. DAWG meets every Tuesday at 6:30pm at 478 High St, Northcote. For more information, phone (03) 9486 5472.
Anti-war US sailors
BY RUSSELL PICKERING
PERTH — By now "No war" badges and copies of Green Left Weekly will have entered the Gulf and begun to play their role in subverting the US war drive.
During the last few weeks, thousands of US sailors have flooded Perth as part of the sea swap trials, in which US warship crews are changed over at Cockburn Sound. The crews of these ships are far from fully supportive of their government's plan to attack Iraq.
At stalls in Fremantle and Perth, we have sold numerous copies of Green Left Weekly and badges to sailors keen to get a different view of the drive to war and voice their disagreement with what they are being sent to do. Many have vowed to wear anti-war badges on board, and will be checking the GLW web site for information on the campaign.
Many are driven to join the armed forces because they can't get work or have faced the prospect of jail for minor crimes — time in the services being offered as an alternative. With more ships expected, we are looking forward to more chances to help US sailors oppose the war! To get involved, phone (08) 9218 9608.
From Green Left Weekly, February 5, 2003.
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