Olympics torch met by activists
BY NICK FREDMAN
LISMORE — Amidst the surreal atmosphere created by chariots, giant video screens and corporate trucks and displays, 30 activists used the opportunity presented by the Olympic torch's passage here on August 23 to make a stand for indigenous rights and social and environmental justice.
Members of the Lismore S11 Alliance, Southern Cross University Student Representative Council, Resistance and the Democratic Socialist Party expressed solidarity with the indigenous rights protests that will occur in Sydney during the Olympics, and to point out that the Olympic Games have become the "Corporate Games".
Thousands of leaflets were distributed demanding justice for the stolen generations and an end to mandatory sentencing laws. The exploitative and anti-environment practices of Olympics sponsors such as McDonald's, AMP, Nike and Coca Cola were highlighted.
There was a good response, particularly from many of the thousands of high school students dragooned to attend, some of whom had written "Fuck the Olympics" on signs, clothing and bodies.
That the mood was far from a pro-games "consensus" was admitted by the Sydney Morning Herald, which described the Lismore action in its lead story on August 25.