BY DARREN JIGGINS
LAUNCESTON On October 5, more than 400 people attended a rally at Princes Square against the looming war on Iraq. It was organised by the No War on Iraq public forum.
Speakers included Kim Booth from the Greens, Jules Green from the Socialist Alliance, Margaret Reynolds from the United Nations Association, Chris Brooks from the God Squad and Bob Bensemann from the Australian Democrats.
"Even if the UN gives approval ... the motivation behind this war will not have changed. This is a war for oil and a war to carve up the Middle East under US control. The Socialist Alliance calls for no war under any conditions", Green told the rally.
Green asked, "Do you want to build the biggest anti-war, pro-peace movement we can?". The rally roared "Yes".
Rally organisers had intended to march through Launceston but police refused permission the day before the rally. Referring to the 21-day application period required for the right to march, rally chairperson Brian Blanchard asked: "Do we have to ask George Bush if he can give us 21 days' warning [of the beginning of the war] to organise our next rally?"
Many people, disappointed at the banning of the march, decided to proceed in single file through the mall and along the footpaths, chanting "1, 2, 3, 4, we don't what your racist war", and holding banners and placards against the war.
The success of the rally has inspired organisers to plan a November 2 march and rally. This will coincide with a rally in Hobart timed for the US congressional election.
From Green Left Weekly, October 16, 2002.
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