Fwd (GLW): S11: the day we stopped the TRG

["Alan Bradley" <alanb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The following article appears in the current issue of Green Left Weekly
(http://www.greenleft.org.au):

S11: the day we stopped the TRG
BY JOHN McGILL

On the morning of Friday, September 8, a railway carriage filled with
activists left Adelaide for Melbourne to join the September 11-13 protests
against the World Economic Forum. The carriage was organised by John Short,
of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, and supported by the
Australian Education Union, the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy
Union (CFMEU) and the Adelaide S11 Alliance.

As the train pulled away, we obligingly held up posters to the windows for
the representatives of the mass media. The usual movie screening was
forgone in favour of political discussion. AMWU educator John High stuck up
butcher's paper, and a lively discussion ensued on fair trade not free
trade.

A megaphone was passed around so all could hear and join in. The debate
ranged over the effects of ?free? trade on the Third World, the
hopelessness of the ALP and alternatives to capitalism, including anarchism
versus socialism. It was encouraging to hear the free flow of ideas and the
comradely way different views were expressed.

During the afternoon, the activist-passengers worked out chants and songs
for the blockade, including new versions of ?The Red Flag?, ?Waltzing
Matilda? and ?Advance Australia Fair?.

Arriving in Melbourne that evening, about 30 activists headed for the
Victorian branch office of the AMWU, where they were to be billeted for the
next three nights. They were greeted by AMWU branch secretary Craig
Johnston.

The weekend was spent preparing for the blockade, although most took time
out at Comrades' Bar on Saturday night, meeting many other interstate and
local activists. On Sunday night, we had an early night to make sure we
were up at 5am.

Early Monday morning, the South Australian activists met with other
interstate comrades at Trades Hall. Singing and chanting in the pouring
rain, more than 400 people marched down Swanston Street to the blockade at
Crown Casino. As we approached, the S11 organisers directed us to the
Whiteman Street entrance, which was under police attack.

The contingent, in a disciplined and non-violent manner, moved in with arms
linked and stood firm. The cops retreated, and a bus full of big business
delegates had to be turned away. With their first action resulting in
victory, the Adelaide activists' confidence was sky high.

The blockade was good-natured, with ambulances being allowed to pass after
being checked for any corporate stowaways. The blockaders became aware of
the police massing, and reinforcements were urgently requested. Suddenly,
members of the Police Tactical Response Group (TRG) charged, knocking over
bystanders, trying to force their way between a fence and an entrance to
the casino.

The cops were screaming ?Move, move? and stabbing with their batons.
Television footage clearly showed an elderly man being hit over the head.
The police on the other side of the fence were shouting at the TRG to ?Cool
it?.

The blockaders held firm, showing exemplary discipline, courage and
solidarity. More and more activists arrived to shore up the blockaders,
eventually cutting off the TRG. The cops then negotiated a retreat,
offering to put away their batons if the activists moved back one metre. At
first, the activists voted against releasing the TRG, but relented once the
cops sheathed their weapons.

The blockaders were informed that it was the TRG who had attacked a
peaceful picket at the Richmond Secondary School several years before. This
was the first time they had ever been repelled. For the rest of the day,
the activists remained vigilant, aware that the cops could return at any
time.

At the end of the day, as he moved off for a well-earned cup of soup, John
High, still proudly carrying his AMWU flag, declared: ?I feel a bit sad.
I've won that bit of concrete and I just don't want to leave.?

That evening at Spencer Street station, the Adelaide activists gathered,
cheering and chanting (and singing a rousing rendition of ?You're the
Voice?) as each group of victorious comrades arrived. Many of them decided
not to return on the train. ?I couldn't leave after today. I want to see it
through?, said AMWU activist Jim Murphy.

On the train home, John High again got out his butcher's paper and
megaphone, and led a discussion on what September 11 meant for us. John
Short stated, ?I've never been prouder of a group of people?.

It was decided that the AMWU activists would invite all others to a
post-S11 discussion to consider the next moves for this combat-tested
group.