Resistance activists summonsed
MELBOURNE — Two members of the socialist youth group Resistance have been summonsed to appear in court in late May for "trespassing" while attempting to visit hunger-striking refugees at the Maribyrnong detention centre. Tim Doughney, one of the activists, told Green Left Weekly: "The refugees' rights movement must defend its right to protest against the government's unjust anti-refugee laws".
On January 25, Resistance organised an overnight solidarity hunger strike outside the Maribyrnong detention centre in response to hunger strikes by detainees in the Woomera and Maribyrnong detention centres.
The next day, the activists attempted to visit the detainees. Detention centre staff told them that they were not allowed to visit and that they must leave the property. The activists maintained they had the right to visit the detainees. Police arrived and forcibly removed the activists from the property.
Palestine campaign on UWA
PERTH — Resistance members at the University of Western Australia have been campaigning for a free Palestine. On April 11, they held a pro-Palestine speak-out, which some Zionist students opposed.
Then on April 16, Resistance organised an open-air debate with the Australian Union of Jewish Students on the solution to the Palestinian crisis. Another open-air debate was arranged for April 23 outside the Reid Library.
UQ Palestine speak-out
BRISBANE — Resistance and the Muslim Students Association held a speak-out in solidarity with the people of Palestine at the University of Queensland on April 18.
Speakers called on the Australian government to condemn Israel's attacks on Palestinian towns and for a peacekeeping force to monitor Israel's withdrawal from the Occupied Territories.
Another campus pro-Palestine rally was called for April 30, when a similar action will also be held on the Queensland University of Technology Gardens Point campus.
@subh= Resistance organises M1 protest
ADELAIDE — Determined to see protests in Adelaide on May 1, and international day of solidarity for the oppressed, Resistance has decided to organise a protest at noon outside the immigration department, known by Resistance members as the "Department of Racism". At the rally, themed "Free Palestine! Free the refugees!", protesters will smear red-paint hand-prints on a banner to symbolise the blood the Australian government has on its hands.
@9point =
From Green Left Weekly, April 24, 2002.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.