By Sean Healy
Students and young people "voted with their feet" against racism on September 30 in actions around the country. Organised by the socialist youth group Resistance, the protests were the latest in a series of demonstrations by young people against Pauline Hanson's racist One Nation party and the racist policies of the Howard government and the major parties.
The national student strikes on July 24 and 28 and August 28 focused the media attention on the sentiment among secondary students against the rise of racism in Australia.
After the August 28 strike, much of Resistance's attention was concentrated on the electoral campaign of the Democratic Socialists. Ten Resistance activists stood on the Democratic Socialists' ticket.
The "Vote with your feet" actions were organised as a part of this campaign, to give a voice to those under 18, many of whom have strong opinions on racism.
The actions served to consolidate Resistance's growing base of support amongst high school students. Resistance clubs on high schools have been formed across the country.
In Perth, Marcel Cameron reports, a lively but wet crowd of 40 protesters participated. High school activists Michael Faithful, Justin Harman and Marcel Cameron, representing Resistance, spoke. They urged the protesters to continue their campaign against racism and to fight for broader social change.
Harman emphasised the need to continue the fight for the demands of the rally regardless of which party formed the next government. Jim Scott from the Greens WA also spoke.
Afterwards, back at the Resistance Centre, participants were "addressed" by "Pauline Hanson" and "Liberal Senator Gordon Lightfoot", courtesy of the Raynin Theatre. This was part of a skit designed for performance at schools but banned for being "too political".
Arrow Tong and Tristan Miller from Adelaide told Green Left Weekly that more than 70 dedicated activists took to the streets. Wielding percussion instruments, whistles, flags and a lifelike effigy of Pauline Hanson (with John Howard on the reverse side), the demonstrators drowned out a small group of One Nation supporters who attempted to disrupt the action.
On the march to One Nation's Adelaide office, Resistance members from around Adelaide stopped to express their views on racism.
From Newcastle, reports Cass Ilia, 25 people gathered outside the office of Bob Baldwin, federal Liberal MP for Paterson, on September 30. The lively picket condemned Baldwin's defence of One Nation, and the policies of the federal Liberal government.
Rachel Appleby from the Jabiluka Action Group urged people to get involved in the campaign to stop the Jabiluka uranium mine, no matter what the result of the election.
The rally heard Jan Davis of the Paterson Greens and Alison Dellit, the Democratic Socialist candidate for Paterson. Davis thanked Resistance for organising the picket and spoke of the level of support in the electorate for the anti-racist activities of the Democratic Socialists and the Greens.
Dellit said the major parties were hypocritical because they opposed racism in words, while implementing racist policies. At the conclusion of the rally, the Newcastle Jabiluka Action Group presented petitions with more than 2000 signatures opposing the mine to Dellit and Davis.
Danny Fairfax reports that the Sydney demonstration involved 250 people protesting outside the Queen Victoria Building. The atmosphere was vibrant but unfortunately not free from police intimidation. Students chalking slogans on the pavement were harassed and threatened with arrest.
The protesters marched to Martin Place, where they heard speeches from Resistance member Catherine Golden, Democratic Socialist candidate for Sydney John Percy and Michael Denborough from the Nuclear Disarmament Party.
Percy told the crowd, "Young people are the conscience of society now, but they're also the future of society. They have no vote, but they have my vote for the future."
After the speeches, the crowd swelled to more than 500 for a live concert and speech by Pauline Pantsdown, performing her songs "I Don't Like It" and the banned "Backdoor Man". Office workers on their lunch break were impressed by high school students dancing along to Pantsdown's raps.
In Brisbane, Sarah Cunningham reports that 100 people joined the action. People gathered in Queen's Park, following arrows pointing the way chalked by artistically talented Resistance members. The participants had to be particularly dedicated, given competition from the band Human Nature and the victory parade for the Brisbane Broncos in the mall.
Two giant postcards gave people a chance to express their colourful views: one addressed to John Howard and the other to Pauline Hanson c/- "10 Racist Way, Ignorance-ville, Joh Country". There was also a performance by New World Order Theatre, a fledgling street theatre group.
Justine Kamprad from Canberra told Green Left Weekly that around 150 people attended the "Vote with your feet" rally. The action was kicked off by the music of Pauline Pantsdown, a chalk-up and banner signing, before a lively march around the city centre, which was cheered on enthusiastically by bystanders. Stilt walkers from the Timbarra Direct Action group took part.
In Melbourne, Lisa Frankland reports, 50 young people took part in creative actions outside Flinders Street Station. The actions included two-metre walking feet, enthusiastic speakers and people printing their footprints on a banner. Many young people painted an anti-racist mural on building site hoardings directly opposite.
The mural was supported by the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), the Electrical Trades Union, the Victorian Trades Hall Council and Resistance. The CFMEU has invited Resistance to paint more walls around the city.
Angela Luvera reports that anti-racists gathered in the Wollongong Mall, despite attempts by mall management to stop the protest with sprinklers and loud music.
High school student and Resistance member Jennifer Low told the crowd: "As a person under 18 and unable to vote, I'm told that I can't have political opinions, but, like many other young people, I am aware of the racism of One Nation and the Coalition. Getting out onto the streets is the only way that we can be heard. We will not go way until racism does."
In Darwin, according to Peter Johnston, a successful march was held from Civic Park to Raintree Park. Fifty people took part. The local council attempted to prevent the rally by demanding that Resistance take out indemnity insurance to the tune of $10 million.
Ignoring the council's threats, the demonstrators heard speeches against the Jabiluka uranium mine and the racism of the major parties in the Northern Territory.