BY BRONWEN BEECHEY
ADELAIDE — Four hundred people participated in the five-hour blockade of the Australian Stock Exchange, located in the Santos Building, in a powerful statement of how strongly they felt about the need to fight the ravages of corporate greed.
Though protesters were not able to block all entrances to the building, a core of 200 people maintained a solid blockade of the main entrance for the whole time.
The protesters said the blockade was an empowering experience. The strong sense of solidarity on the line stemmed from "the sense of being part of a global movement", said M1 activist Leslie Richmond.
"This was not just another protest", she said. "M1 brought the growing people's power movement against corporate tyranny to the streets of Adelaide".
Linking arms on the blockade line were seasoned activists and those who had never been to a protest before, including one group who had walked from the city's outer suburbs after reading about it in that morning's Adelaide Advertiser.
Loud, colourful and vibrant, the protest included many banners and placards highlighting issues such as genetically engineered food, environmental destruction and corporate greed. Chants and songs kept spirits up.
At one point, M1 activist and Democratic Socialist Party member Kathy Newnam asked the blockade if they wanted to hear what the "pro-globalisation" students (Young Liberals armed with a banner made out of beer cartons) had to say. A resounding "no" was the answer, and the "counter-protest" left shortly afterwards.
Despite an aggressive attitude by police, who tore down posters and served a defect notice on the truck being used as a stage, the rally remained peaceful.
At noon the blockade ended with a celebratory "Conga Line Against Corporate Tyranny" around the Santos building before protesters marched to Victoria Square to join the "Unity Rally Against Corporate Tyranny", which was sponsored by the United Trades and Labor Council.
"I used to live in a society, now I live in an economy", began Australian Manufacturing Workers Union organiser Ian Curry in his address to the unity rally. The rally was also addressed by UTLC secretary Chris White and Australian Education Union secretary Janet Giles.
While union participation was not high, those who did participate were encouraged by the spirited march through the streets. "It feels good to be out on May Day", said Rob Graham, a long-time unionist in the Community and Public Sector Union.
The positive effect of M1 on participants was summed up by David Scrimgeour, a medical practitioner in the migrant health sector: "I was pleased to have the opportunity today to make a stand on my concerns about the global corporate economy.
"I think it sends a message not only to the corporations and to politicians, but also to the many other people out there who at least to some extent share our concerns — it is good for them to realise there is an emerging people's movement. Seattle and S11 did that for me, and I am sure there are many others who will be inspired to join the movement."