Passionate protest in Melbourne

Issue 

BY KARL MILLAR

MELBOURNE — Around 1200 people gathered outside the State Library to protest against the visit of US President George Bush, also the world's number one terrorist. The protest featured the many home-made banners and placards that characterised the anti-war movement earlier in the year.

The protest kicked off with the Moreland Peace Group conducting a trial of George W. Bush. Friends of the Earth then presented their construction of a large bottom — and the race towards it in environmental and human rights' standards between Bush and Australian PM John Howard.

Bishop Hilton Deakin from the Catholic Church, the Greens Pamela Curr and Books Not Bombs Jess Melvin also spoke. Melvin was well received when she said: "We have more in common with the protestors in the streets of Iraq than with the warmongers at home — Regime change begins at home".

Protesters then marched down Swanston Street, pausing at the Bourke Street Mall, to do some mass street theatre.

The march continued to Federation Square, where one minutes' silence was held for those who have died in the struggle for the liberation of Palestine, including Edward Said. The last speaker was Linda Waldron from the Socialist Alliance.

Rally chairperson Margarita Windisch reminded rally-goers to call the terrorist hotline, to warn the government that the world's greatest terrorist was heading for Canberra.

More than 50 metres of paper was covered in messages to Bush and Howard and the protest, and then taken to join the convergence in Canberra. More than 50 people at the protest indicated they wanted to get involved in more anti-war activity.

From Green Left Weekly, October 29, 2003.
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