By Joshua Wilson and Emma Webb
ADELAIDE — As part of its campaign for freedom in East Timor and an end to the Indonesian occupation, the socialist youth organisation Resistance held a speak-out in Gawler Place on April 12.
Passers-by stopped to listen to activists read out poems by imprisoned Fretilin leader Xanana Gusmao and a copy of a 1995 speech by young East Timorese activist Nunu Santos.
The speak-out helped to attract people to a public meeting on East Timor which was held later that evening, jointly organised by Resistance and ASIET (Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor).
Guest speaker Harold Moucho, the NSW Fretilin representative, gave an update on the struggle focusing on the leading role being played by women and young people. He stressed that while individuals in the Labor and Liberal parties claim to be friends of the Timorese, the policies of both support the Indonesian occupation.
He urged people not to rely on politicians, but to continue to build the East Timorese solidarity movement in Australia by publicising and participating in the National Day of Action on August 25 to end Australia's de jure recognition of Indonesia's occupation of East Timor.
Moucho also addressed students at Resistance's annual general meeting at Flinders University on April 11. He described the daily life of East Timorese students in their struggle against the Indonesian occupation and urged students to join the solidarity campaign.