In April 2004, students at Glenunga International High School in Adelaide set up the Student Activist Alliance. The SAA has since grown to include members from other high schools in Adelaide. Green Left Weekly's Melanie Coutman recently spoke to SAA founding members Eddie Kemp Attrill, Paris Dean, Richard Ensor and Jake Wishart.
What is the Student Activist Alliance and why did you set it up?
Paris: The Student Activist Alliance is a student-run organisation that informs students of issues and helps them act upon them.
Eddie: The SAA was partially set up [by students at Glenunga International High School] because in many students' opinions the Student Representative Council [at GIHS] does not sufficiently represent the students. Furthermore, the SRC is forced to take such a "middle of the road" approach that its whole mock-democracy framework restricts students from actually saying what they want.
Jake: Fundamental principles on which the SAA was based include a chance for anyone to speak for themselves — not through a "representative", and to have a school club which is entirely organised and initiated by the students. This has meant that the SAA has much more enthusiasm and involvement than other clubs, and has often out-fund raised other school clubs.
What sorts of campaigns are the SAA involved in?
Eddie: Recently the SAA has launched its Howard Lies campaign. Although the SAA does not officially endorse any political party, and officially has no policies, an overwhelming majority of the SAA voted for a campaign to emphasise the lies and spins of the Howard government. So far the SAA has held numerous banner drops in the city, with a 4-metre wide "Howard Lies" banner. Anyone is welcome to join in. We meet every Friday next to the Balls in Rundle Mall at 4.30 pm. For more information, call Eddie on 0401151019. The SAA has also had huge success selling "Howard Lies" badges. Many SAA members are involved in campaigns and activities run by groups such as NoWar, Resistance, Campaign Against the Nuclear Dump, Australian Conservation Foundation, independent candidate for the seat of Mayo Brian Deegan and Animal Liberation.
Richard: Last term, the SAA ran a controversial campaign within the school to try to change the school's policy on wearing political badges. Many students are appalled that in public schools like Glenunga International High School, some students have been suspended for up to three days, for refusing to take off political badges — none of which were racist or sexist or used offensive language. The SAA then launched a campaign selling badges that say "I have opinions, SUSPEND ME". The SAA is still running this campaign, and after a survey on students, teachers and parents, found out that a majority would support a change to the rule. The decision is currently being processed by the school, after being postponed for several weeks because the badges apparently needed an occupational health and safety review (because they had pins). The SAA would like public opinion/support to change the rule not just in Glenunga, but in all schools.
What sort of response have you received from teachers, other students?
Jake: Students at Glenunga International High School, where SAA was started, have been very supportive. As the SAA is 100% student run, its success so far is due to student support. Many teachers too have been extremely supportive and impressed by the SAA. GIHS has given the SAA sporadic doses of support and praise. On the other hand members of the public have also been extremely supportive, and in particular, many SAA members would like to thank the Australian Education Union, the Campaign Against the Nuclear Dump and Resistance.
[The Student Activist Alliance is open to any High School Student, and is looking for enthused and active people to set up SAA branches in their schools. For more membership information contact the membership co-ordinator at <kempaedd@gihs.sa.edu.au>. For other information on SAA, including their activities email <deanpar@gihs.sa.edu.au>.]
From Green Left Weekly, October 6, 2004.
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