Anti-war rally report and photos
Takver | 06.11.2005 20:55 | Anti-militarism | Anti-racism | Repression | London | World
A crowd of people turned up in the 30 degree heat of a Melbourne spring day to the anti-war rally outside the State Library. There was a cross-section of people with Muslims and socialists particularly well represented by banners, placards and flags, but also such groups as Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Women for Peace and Moreland Peace Group, and quite a few people unaffiliated with any group.
Abhorrent to Australia's liberal democratic values
AUSTRALIA: MELB: Rob Stary, president of the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association, was one of the main speakers who attacked the anti-terrorism laws as abhorrent to Australia's liberal democratic values.
"In the US there is no preventive detention, there are no control orders," Mr Stary said. "In the UK the system has become so discredited that there is only one person in a population of 55 million on a control order."
"Saddam Hussein and Slobodan Milosevic are going to have public trials. There will be no public trials in Australia for people who are charged with so-called terrorism offences," he said.
Other speakers included Reta Kaur from Women for Peace, Dave Kerin who offered apologies for Martin Kingham from the CFMEU for being unable to attend, and Donna Mulhearn, peace activist and human shield.
After the speakers concluded, a huge rainbow peace banner was unfurled. The rally marched down Swanston Street to Federation Square.
"In the US there is no preventive detention, there are no control orders," Mr Stary said. "In the UK the system has become so discredited that there is only one person in a population of 55 million on a control order."
"Saddam Hussein and Slobodan Milosevic are going to have public trials. There will be no public trials in Australia for people who are charged with so-called terrorism offences," he said.
Other speakers included Reta Kaur from Women for Peace, Dave Kerin who offered apologies for Martin Kingham from the CFMEU for being unable to attend, and Donna Mulhearn, peace activist and human shield.
After the speakers concluded, a huge rainbow peace banner was unfurled. The rally marched down Swanston Street to Federation Square.
Takver
