BY JOHN McGILL
On the morning of Friday, September 8, a railway carriage filled with activists left Adelaide for Melbourne to join the September 11-13 protests against the World Economic Forum. The carriage was organised by John Short, of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, and supported by the Australian Education Union, the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and the Adelaide S11 Alliance.
As the train pulled away, we obligingly held up posters to the windows for the representatives of the mass media. The usual movie screening was forgone in favour of political discussion. AMWU educator John High stuck up butcher's paper, and a lively discussion ensued on fair trade not free trade.
A megaphone was passed around so all could hear and join in. The debate ranged over the effects of "free" trade on the Third World, the hopelessness of the ALP and alternatives to capitalism, including anarchism versus socialism. It was encouraging to hear the free flow of ideas and the comradely way different views were expressed.
During the afternoon, the activist-passengers worked out chants and songs for the blockade, including new versions of "The Red Flag", "Waltzing Matilda" and "Advance Australia Fair".
Arriving in Melbourne that evening, about 30 activists headed for the Victorian branch office of the AMWU, where they were to be billeted for the next three nights. They were greeted by AMWU branch secretary Craig Johnston.
The weekend was spent preparing for the blockade, although most took time out at Comrades' Bar on Saturday night, meeting many other interstate and local activists. On Sunday night, we had an early night to make sure we were up at 5am.
Early Monday morning, the South Australian activists met with other interstate comrades at Trades Hall. Singing and chanting in the pouring rain, more than 400 people marched down Swanston Street to the blockade at Crown Casino. As we approached, the S11 organisers directed us to the Whiteman Street entrance, which was under police attack.
The contingent, in a disciplined and non-violent manner, moved in with arms linked and stood firm. The cops retreated, and a bus full of big business delegates had to be turned away. With their first action resulting in victory, the Adelaide activists' confidence was sky high.
The blockade was good-natured, with ambulances being allowed to pass after being checked for any corporate stowaways. The blockaders became aware of the police massing, and reinforcements were urgently requested. Suddenly, members of the Police Tactical Response Group (TRG) charged, knocking over bystanders, trying to force their way between a fence and an entrance to the casino.
The cops were screaming "Move, move" and stabbing with their batons. Television footage clearly showed an elderly man being hit over the head. The police on the other side of the fence were shouting at the TRG to "Cool it".
The blockaders held firm, showing exemplary discipline, courage and solidarity. More and more activists arrived to shore up the blockaders, eventually cutting off the TRG. The cops then negotiated a retreat, offering to put away their batons if the activists moved back one metre. At first, the activists voted against releasing the TRG, but relented once the cops sheathed their weapons.
The blockaders were informed that it was the TRG who had attacked a peaceful picket at the Richmond Secondary School several years before. This was the first time they had ever been repelled. For the rest of the day, the activists remained vigilant, aware that the cops could return at any time.
At the end of the day, as he moved off for a well-earned cup of soup, John High, still proudly carrying his AMWU flag, declared: "I feel a bit sad. I've won that bit of concrete and I just don't want to leave."
That evening at Spencer Street station, the Adelaide activists gathered, cheering and chanting (and singing a rousing rendition of "You're the Voice") as each group of victorious comrades arrived. Many of them decided not to return on the train. "I couldn't leave after today. I want to see it through", said AMWU activist Jim Murphy.
On the train home, John High again got out his butcher's paper and megaphone, and led a discussion on what September 11 meant for us. John Short stated, "I've never been prouder of a group of people".
It was decided that the AMWU activists would invite all others to a post-S11 discussion to consider the next moves for this combat-tested group.