Action updates
Book picket
MELBOURNE — Around 80 East Timorese people and their supporters picketed the launch of arch-reactionary Greg Sheridan's new book, Living with Dragons. The launch, held on June 2 at the head office of the multinational corporation Mobil, was attended by Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans. The protest was organised by the Australia East Timor Association.
Disabled protest
On June 16, 30 disabled people gathered at City Square in Melbourne to protest at the inaccessibility of trams for people with disabilities. The protesters blocked tram traffic for several hours. The protest was organised by a newly formed coalition of disability organisations called Disability Action on Rights and Equity (DARE).
Asia-Pacific solidarity
PERTH — One hundred and twenty people gathered outside the Hyatt Hotel on June 11 to protest against a free trade conference. The picket was initiated by the WA South African Solidarity group (WASAS) and supported by a range of other Asia-Pacific human rights groups. The main purpose of the International Forum on the Indian Ocean Region was to further develop "free trade" links between businesses.
Campaign for Mumia Abu-Jamal
SYDNEY — Fifty people attended a picket outside the US consulate on June 7 in support of , who will be executed in Pennsylvania on August 17. The action was part of an international campaign to stop his execution. Abu-Jamal was sentenced to death for killing a police officer, but evidence points very strongly to a police frame-up. Abu-Jamal was a leader of the Black Panthers and is a militant political activist.
Stop Murdoch campaign
The Stop Murdoch Now Committee was launched in May, with advertisements in non-Murdoch media, in response to News Limited's attempts to take over rugby league in Australia. Already more than 8000 clip-offs of support have been received by the campaign. Well-attended rallies were held in Cessnock and Newcastle on June 10. A Sydney rally is planned for June 24 at the Town Hall at 2pm. Speakers include Meredith Burgmann, state MLC, and Norm Provan and Arthur Beetson, former league greats. The committee can be contacted on 1 800 066 977.
Rally against depot
BRISBANE — On June 10, a rally of 120 angry residents and supporters met at Lytton, a bayside suburb, to condemn the construction of a Queensland Rail refuelling depot. The depot, which encroaches on the Moreton Bay Marine Park, is designed to store 270,000 litres of diesel fuel and oil. The site is adjacent to seagrass beds, tidal flats, mangroves and roosting sites for local and migratory wader birds.
The rally was addressed by urban environmentalist Jack Mundy, Denise Boyd of Greenpeace and David Dillon of the Federation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action. Officials from local fishing groups and marine and bird life conservation societies outlined the environmental impact of recent expansion at the Port of Brisbane.