[Marxism] Strong anti racist march in Sydney

[Ggregray@xxxxxxx]

A strong rally was followed by a march estimated to be over 5000 strong
briefly closed down the centre of Sydney today (Sunday) as it moved through the
city streets.

The rally and march was called at short notice in response to the riot at
Cronulla last Sunday. It was originally organised at the call of the National
Union of Students but in just a few days won support from a many groups 
including
the Greens,Muslim groups, Labor party members especially the Labor for
Refugees group,trade unions, a variety of left and socialist groups and many
individuals and families who attended eager to have the chance to take a stand
against racism and to defend the rights of Arabs , Muslims and others targeted 
by
racists.

At the rally prior to the march there were a series of speakers from many of
the groups taking part in the day of action. One speaker, a student of Arabic
background refused to accept that alcohol could be used as an excuse for the
disgraceful racist attacks that took place last week at beachside Cronulla. You
cant make up racist banners and t-shirts when you're drunk he pointed out.

With this comment he particularly fingered the role played by organised
groups of racists in the Cronulla events. Other speakers equally went to the 
role
of the Howard conservative government in whipping up anti Arab and anti Muslim
feeling as part of its drive to war and the erosion of basic civil rights
through so-called anti-terror laws.

It was also recognised at the rally that , in spite of support for this
action from members of the Labor Party, the party federally and at a state level
had backed the anti-terror laws which were passed in an atmosphere of hysteria
whipped up against Muslims as potential terrorists. In New South Wales the
Labor government has reacted to the Cronulla riots by passing new draconian laws
that allow police to lock down suburbs search people and cars and even
confiscate cars.

Speakers at the rally from the Greens, unions and Muslim groups and students
were all warmly received.Keyser Trad, a Muslim community leader got a
partcularly stong response to his call for closer between the Muslim and other
communities against racism.

There had been rumours that racists would try to disrupt the rally and march.
But they were notable by their complete absence as far as I could see. If any
were around they clearly decided that discretion was the better part of
valour in face of the stronge surge of those determined to put their opposition 
to
racism on clear and positive display.

In fact as the march went through the entertainment area of Sydney to again
rally in a public park near Central Station many onlookers clapped and cheered
their support some even joining in for at least a part of the march. One young
woman moved through the rally before the march giving out Racism Sux stickers
from several sheets of stickers she was carrying. When I asked her who had
organised the printing of these she said she had done it herself spending $30 to
have them printed. I offered her the change I had to help with the costs and
she gave me a sheet of the stickers which were quickly transfrerred onto many
willing chests.

Many participats had made up their own anti-racist placards and it was
typical of the day that the strength of feeling was such that the crowd of
demonstrators was made up of many more than just the suspects. It was a powerful
response to the racist attacks particularly given that this is a very difficult 
time
of the year to organise political action in Sydney with the Christmas
holidays underway already for many and the universities and colleges closing 
down.

It augurs well for a strong continuing campaign against racism and the
scapegoating of Arabs and Muslims to enable Liberal and Labor governments to 
bring
in ever worse laws attacking basic civil liberties.
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