SYDNEY — The Books not Bombs coalition issued a call for solidarity with the April 2 student anti-war protest, following the police provocation that occurred on March 26.
Among those who expressed solidarity were the Victorian Peace Network, Margaret Reynolds from the United Nations Association of Australia, Geelong Trades Hall executive, Socialist Alliance, Refugee Action Collective, the Marrickville Community Peace Group and the Newtown Peace Group, Dunoon People for Peace, and many others.
Film-maker and journalist John Pilger also gave a very strong statement of support at a screening of his film Killing the Children of Iraq in Sydney on March 28.
Here are some of the messages received:
"The Marrickville Community Peace Group supports the students' right to protest peacefully against the war on Iraq in Sydney and other cities on April 2. We call upon the police authorities to cooperate with the protest organisers and refrain from provocative or intimidatory behaviour towards the students" — passed by the the Marrickville Community Peace Group on March 27.
"The Scottish Socialist Youth would like to express its solidarity with the Books Not Bombs anti-war group. The SSY recognises that the violence at the March 26 student strike, in Sydney, was a direct result of police intimidation and provocation...
"The SSY agrees that the detention of hundreds of protesters for two hours is completely outrageous, as is the banning of the next student strike on April 2. We would like to join Books Not Bombs in calling for support from peace groups, trade unionists, parents and teachers. We would like to reiterate the call to the state government to initiate an independent inquiry into the action of the police on March 26.
"The SSY wishes Books Not Bombs a successful student led strike against this illegal, brutal war on Iraq, as well as any future anti-war activities. This next student-led strike is now not only an anti-war strike, but a strike to defend the right to protest in this 'democracy'." — Leah Ganley, on behalf of Scottish Socialist Youth.
"We applaud your initiative in mobilising thousands of students in Australia to take direct action against your government's active participation in the immoral and cynical Bush invasion of the Middle East. On behalf of the Alliance Party in New Zealand please accept our warmest and collegial best wishes in your struggle. Our party has also sent messages to your police force and government expressing our protest at their attempts to stop your right to protest. kia kaha (be strong)." — Matt McCarten, president, Alliance Party.
"We are fascinated by the courage and determination of Australian students. Keep on fighting!" — Boris Kagarlitsky, director of the Institute of Globalisation Studies, Moscow.
"We have heard about the violence against students demonstrating in Australia against war. We want to express our solidarity, from our union and from people in France who demonstrate. Many people in Europe are against the war and also many young people: they are the most active in this movement, in Spain, Italy and als in France. Many governments try to prevent youth from demonstrating, but they can't brake this movement.
"Against the war, for the right to express and demonstrate." — SUD PTT (Solidarity, Unity, Democracy Post and Telecom) national secretary Verveine Angeli.
From Green Left Weekly, April 9, 2003.
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