BY DAVE RILEY
As more activists from many cities and towns respond to the call for mass actions against corporate tyranny on May 1, cultural activists are to lend their support to these blockades and related events.
Taking our cue from the September 11-13 mass blockade of the World Economic Forum in Melbourne, cultural activists are keen to ensure that there are mass "carnivals of the oppressed" that coincide with the protests.
We want to employ as many imaginative ways we can think of to build these events, through fundraising concerts, the production of posters, the creation of murals, videos, banners and performances of all sorts, writing poems, songs or play scripts. A large-scale cultural input can liven and broaden support for the protests.
Similarly, on May 1, the mass protests can be injected with a spirited carnival atmosphere generated by diverse cultural expressions: performances of all kinds, music, puppetry, graffiti, dance — all worked around primary themes that relate to the core demands of the M1 protests.
The Brisbane-based street theatre group, Carnival of the Oppressed, has offered to serve as a facilitator for all those who want to work towards cultural action for M1. An initial gathering of cultural activists was held in October.
A web site with resources and links has been established , an email discussion list initiated and skilled and experienced cultural activists, overseas and locally, have been approached for input and advice. Already, a significant international network of cultural activists is in place.
In Perth, various groups have volunteered to perform on the day. A general meeting of those interested in the Carnival of the Oppressed for M1 is to be held in December. Perth supporters of M1 are also exploring bringing an Indonesian cultural activist group to M1.
Street theatre and percussion workshops will be held in Brisbane before Christmas. A high school-based street theatre group is being established in February and there has been talk of community radio involvement. A singer/songwriter team in Tasmania is working on an anthem for the protests.
In Sydney, the prospect of mobilising a troupe of performers with disabilities has been raised. In Melbourne, a play dealing with S11 is in rehearsal.
Members of samba schools in Brazil and Britain, and cultural groups in Malaysia and New Zealand have offered their support for the carnival.
To join the Carnival of the Oppressed discussion list, send an email to <GRAFFITO-subscribe@listbot.com> and you will be sent a verification message. Visit <http://www.ozemail.com.au/nwot2.htm>. Telephone (07) 3266 4281.
[Dave Riley is a Brisbane-based mask maker, puppeteer, animator and an activist in the Democratic Socialist Party.]