Protests have occurred in a number of Australian cities in response to the unprovoked attack by Ciskei security forces on peaceful demonstrators on September 7, in which 32 people were killed.
The South Australian United Trades and Labour Council (UTLC) condemned the massacre of ANC members and supporters. At its September 11 meeting, the UTLC called on the federal government to close the South African embassy in Canberra and to deny landing rights to South African Airways.
Sean Lennon reports from Melbourne that about 100 people gathered on the steps of Parliament House on September 12 to protest against the massacre and to call for the expulsion of the South African ambassador, David Tothill. Speakers included John Halfpenny, secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council, ANC representative Terry February and independent parliamentarians Senator Janet Powell and Phil Cleary. Messages of support came from Malcolm Fraser and Victorian Premier Joan Kirner.
An "Apartheid: Alive and Killing" rally was scheduled for Sydney Town Hall Square on September 14, organised by the Australian Anti-Apartheid Movement.
The ACT Trades and Labor Council responded to the Ciskei killings with a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. picket of the South African embassy, report Sue Bolton and James Basle.
TLC president John Wilson told Green Left Weekly that no goods or services are being allowed through. He said there has been widespread public support for the picket, which would continue at least until the September 15 TLC executive meeting, when further action may be planned.
On September 9, the executive resolved to call on the federal government to expel South African embassy officials and to reimpose sanctions on South Africa including withdrawal of landing rights for South African Airways. It also called on the ACTU to support these demands and to coordinate a campaign against South African interests in Australia.