UNITED STATES threats to launch a war in the Middle East in retaliation for the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington have prompted an outpouring of anti-war sentiments across the country, with peace vigils and protests taking place and anti-war coalitions formed.
A hastily called vigil for peace attracted over 2000 to the City Square in central Melbourne on September 16, far outstripping organisers' expectations, Graham Matthews reports.
The vigil, called by a number of church, environment and union groups on September 12, was built with blanket advertising on ABC radio in the preceding day.
The gathering was addressed by Bishop Deakin from the Catholic church and representatives from the Buddhist, Jewish and Muslim faiths, all of whom decried the loss of life incurred in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, but also warned against the possibility of war. Speakers also attacked the growing evidence of racism against Muslims in Australia, and called for tolerance.
Those present wanted a "calm and measured response" to the bombing of the World Trade Center, according to Jacob Grech, one of the vigil organisers.
A further organising meeting was called from the vigil, which met on September 18 at Trades Hall Council. The meeting, attended by around 50 people, set forth a plan of activities, beginning with a further vigil at City Square on September 23.
In Darwin, Ruth Ratcliffe reports, the Top End's anti-war campaign got off to a good start with an 80-strong peace rally called by the Socialist Alliance on September 19 in Raintree Park.
Rallygoers lit candles to remember the loss of life, not only in the United States but across the underdeveloped world, where millions have died as a result of US foreign policy.
The Socialist Alliance's Senate candidate for the NT, Gary Meyerhoff, said: "This tragedy needs to be seen in the context of the recent events. The US have been the perpetrators of some of the worst acts of terror, with a million innocent people dying in Iraq [being] just one example. All acts of brutality and terror should be condemned."
Karen Davies, the spokesperson of the newly-formed group MUMS, Mutual Understanding Movement in Solidarity, told those assembled "MUMS is trying to represent people who don't want any more violence and war" before ending the rally with a rendition of "Down by the river side".
In Canberra, Kerryn Williams reports, 400 people rallied in Garema Place on September 20 to say no to retaliation, war and racism by the US and Australian governments.
While condemning the terrorist attacks, Bishop Pat Power asked if the US will respond to barbarism with further acts of barbarism, and whether the lives of thousands of Afghanis currently fleeing their homes in fear of US attacks were worth less than those lives lost in New York and Washington.
Trades and Labor Council secretary Jeremy Pyner called for the response to the terrorist attacks to be coordinated through the United Nations in a "considered and responsible way", while Phil Griffiths from the Refugee Action Collective described the war against refugees in Australia and the likely increase in the number of refugees if the Bush government retaliates.
In Brisbane, Bill Mason reports, 500 people gathered in the King George Square on September 16 in a vigil organised at very short notice to oppose the US government's drive to a new "war against terrorism".
The broad representation of peace, environment, political and community organisations showed the widespread concerns building up against any Australian involvement in a new war against the Third World.
Rally chairperson Alison Stewart called for a minute's silence for the victims of the attacks in New York and Washington, then Queensland University of Technology ethics lecturer Noel Preston called for calm and a response based on human rights and social justice.
Karen Fletcher, a Senate candidate for the Socialist Alliance in the upcoming federal election, urged a united and active response to the war threat, focusing on the upcoming people's march on CHOGM on October 6.
A meeting of around 40 people on September 20 met to plan the formation of a peace coalition to continue the campaign against President Bush's war drive.
The coalition's first action was a speak-out in the City Mall on September 21, when police and council officers moved in to fine rally chairperson Jim McIlroy and seize a megaphone.
In Adelaide, Bronwen Beechey reports, 800 people attended a vigil and march for peace on September 29.
Hastily organised by a range of groups and individuals from the peace, anti-nuclear and anti-globalisation movements, and publicised largely over the internet and by word of mouth, participants brought flowers and candles to express their grief over the loss of life caused by the terrorist attacks in the US on September 11, but were united in their determination to oppose the US government's attempts to use these tragic events to wage war in the Middle East.
Yasmin Achmed from the Adelaide University Muslim Students Association was greeted with applause when she condemned the racist attacks that have taken place against Muslims in Australia and elsewhere, and the "discourse of revenge and violence" that was taking place in the mainstream media.
The rally then marched through the city to Parliament House.
On September 20, a public meeting organised by Socialist Alliance attracted 40 people. The meeting was also called at short notice, but drew a broad range of sponsors including the United Trades and Labor Council, the Muslim Students Association, the state branch of the Australian Peace Committee and Resistance.
A future meeting on September 27 will begin to build a broad coalition against war and racism.
In Sydney, Kim Bullimore reports, 400 people attended a "No Retaliation" rally on September 21 at Town Hall, which demanded an end to racist scapegoating, no to war and no to Australian involvement. Speakers included NSW Greens Senate candidate Kerry Nettle and Socialist Alliance Senate candidates Pip Hinman and Ian Rintoul.
The rally marched to the US consulate in Martin Place and on to Prime Minister John Howard's office in Phillip St chanting "Islam is not the enemy" and "Peace is possible, War is not the answer".
Upon reaching Howard's office, protesters briefly occupied the foyer of the building chanting, "Shame, Howard, shame — war is not the answer".
The rally had been endorsed by the newly formed anti-war coalition, Network Opposing War and Racism (NOWAR), which has called a rally for 11am on September 29 at Town Hall Square.
In Parramatta mall, in Sydney's west, a lively anti-war speakout attracted lots of support. Many passers-by said they would support an anti-war campaign in western Sydney.
"A war will only kill more innocent people, not stop terrorist attacks. We need to address problems like poverty and inequality if we are to stop terrorists, not create more hatred in the world", said Dani Barley, a Resistance activist involved in the protest.
In Hobart, Kamala Emanuel reports, a new anti-war coalition was formed on September 20, calling itself Network Opposing War and Racism (NOWAR).
Its first action drew 300 people to a rally at Parliament House on September 22.
Sabri Samson from the Tasmanian Islamic community warned that the solution to terrorism is far-reaching and requires more than just a knee-jerk reaction, saying, "Peace without justice is like a house without a roof: it doesn't give any protection at all."
Prior to the rally, scores of drummers participated in a "Drum for Peace" synchronised in 22 locations around the world.