BY ALEX ROBINSON
PERTH — There was so much community support for the S11 demonstration here that about 300 people joined the protest along the march route. The breadth of support was also reflected in the topics covered by speakers.
Roberto Jorquera from the S11 Alliance and the Democratic Socialist Party chaired the rally. He spoke against the hypocrisy of accusations of protester violence, saying that the only real violence comes from the police and from corporate attacks on the Third World. He mentioned the anniversary of the 1973 coup in Chile, citing it as another example of US support for reactionary Third World regimes.
Clarrie Issacs spoke about workers' rights and indigenous rights. He condemned plans to call in the army against Olympic protests in Sydney.
Greens parliamentarian Giz Watson accepted the community statement, to submit to state parliament.
Veteran environmental activist Jo Vallentine covered the environmental implications of corporate globalisation.
Lee Greysmith from South Fremantle High School gave a short history of high school struggle in Australia from the Vietnam War to today.
High school students made up a large and lively contingent at the rally.
The S11 Alliance plans to continue the anti-corporate campaign. There will be a solidarity protest with the anti-WTO S26 actions in Prague. The action will target multinational corporation McDonald's at noon on September 26.