BY MARGARITA WINDISCH
On September 12, 400 people braved cold and wet winter weather in Melbourne to protest against the World Trade Organisation. On September 13, 200 rallied in Sydney and 200 in Brisbane for the same cause. The protests coincided with the beginning of the WTO meeting in Cancun, Mexico.
Pamela Curr from the Victorian Peace Network explained to the protesters the links between the US war on Iraq and the WTO's push for global "free trade". Kevin Bracken, Victorian secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, explained how free trade agreements, by commercialising and privatising essential public services like health care and education, ultimately hurt the working poor.
Visiting Venezuelan student leader Alvaro Guzman informed the crowd that the government of President Hugo Chavez is building a new form of democracy, from the grassroots up and this is giving people hope and dignity. He also said that the struggle against the WTO is imperative for Venezuelans in their quest for national sovereignty.
A lively and colourful march then meandered through Melbourne's city streets, with the marchers chanting anti-war, pro-refugees' rights and anti-globalisation slogans. The protest temporarily stopped outside the Nike Superstore in Swanston Street, highlighting Nike's shocking record of exploiting Third World labour.
The march end with a "reclaim the streets" party blocking traffic in the heart of the Melbourne CBD.
Dale Mills reports from Sydney that the protest, organised by Global Justice Sydney, heard speakers from AidWatch, ATTAC, Stop the War Coalition and the Chilean Network.
At the same time, an energetic anti-war, anti-WTO Reclaim the Streets march of 450 people started at Belmore Park and took in a tour of the city centre, stopping nearly two hours later in George Street for a street party.
From Green Left Weekly, September 17, 2003.
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