In most Australian cities, protesters came out to voice their anger at US President George Bush.
Perth protests
Four-hundred people rallied in Forrest Place on October 23, to protest Bush's visit to Australia. The protest, called by the NOWAR Alliance, demanded: troops out of Iraq, no US-Australia free trade agreement, break the Bush-Howard alliance and Justice For Palestine.
Sam Wainwright, speaking on behalf of the Maritime Union of Australia, told the crowd that "The 'war on terror' is the same as the 'war on drugs' — it is really a war on working people and the Third World".
Speakers from Greens WA, Fremantle Anti-Nuclear Group (FANG) and the NOWAR Alliance also addressed the crowd before it marched to the US Consulate, where members of the Socialist Alliance, Resistance and Refugee Rights Action Network spoke.
The NOWAR Alliance is calling another protest on November 8 as part of an international day of protest against the building of the "apartheid wall" in Palestine.
Adelaidians oppose Bush
Three-hundred people protested Bush's visit on October 24, calling for Iraqi independence and the withdrawal of troops. The rally, organised by NOWAR, was the first major anti-war action in Adelaide for several months.
Speakers included Ruth Russell, who was in Iraq as a "human shield" during the war, Dr David Palmer, from Flinders university — who noted that a "man of steel" is usually a robot — South Australian Greens MP Kris Hanna, Socialist Alliance member David Scrimgeour and Sandra Kanck from the Democrats.
Brisbane tries Bush
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Several hundred people rallied in the King George Square on October 22 to demand "Stop Bush", and "End the occupation of Iraq".
A mock trial of Bush, who was charged in a public hearing with murder, terrorism, extra-judicial executions and arming terrorist groups, concluded with his sentencing to work in hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Hobart sends a message
Hundreds of people gathered to protest the visit to Australia of "Emperor George Bush" on October 22, in a protest called by the Peace Coalition.
Protesters were encouraged to "have your say" via an open microphone and a "bush telegraph" where written messages would be forwarded to the White House.
Rally speakers included Helen Burnett of the Greens and Roger Joseph, advisor to Harry Quick. A speech written by anti-discrimination commissioner Jocelynne Scutt was read out. Scutt called on politicians to turn their back on Bush.
Darwin speaks out
On the day of Bush's address to Parliament, activists gathered in Darwin's Smith Street Mall to burn replicas of Howard and Bush in protest for those leaders support for war on Iraq, and the subsequent occupation.
Fifty people also gathered on October 25 protest the occupation and highlight the plight of refugees. Speakers included the Socialist Alliance's Ray Hayes and a representative of the Refugee Action Network.
Geelong burns Bush
More than 50 people, many of them high school students, gathered in the Geelong City Mall on October 22, to protest Bush. Protesters burnt a US flag and an effigy of George Bush, to chants of "Out, out USA".
From Green Left Weekly, October 29, 2003.
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