Martina Popovich

About 500 people rallied in Melbourne on August 13 to put the Liberal and Labor parties on notice that the refugee rights movement is rebuilding, and a growing number of people are willing to stand up for refugees. The Refugee Action Collective organised the protest under the slogan of “Stand up for Refugees” in a bid to have the treatment of asylum seekers recognized as a human rights issue. There were contingents of Greens, socialists and the Community Public Sector Union. Protesters chanted, “East Timor no solution, let the refugees in”.
Between 10,000 and 20,000 people rallied in Melbourne’s CBD to the tune of AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock and Roll)” in an effort to save the city’s live music scene on February 23. The march followed the route of the song's videoclip, set in Melbourne’s CBD 34 years ago.
“Governments making new laws all of the time Try to tell 'em that being young's not a crime” — Area 7