May Day global demonstration

Darwin - people rallied on the streets of Darwin on May 1 in conjunction with protests across the country. Activists held up banners which spelt "free the refugees" outside the Coonawarra Naval Base due to the federal governments plans to use a refugee detention centre built there recently.

At noon, protesters converged in Raintree Park where David Pollock from the Greens party spoke about the effect of genetically engineered crops, global warming, water management and various environmental issues. Jose Evaristo, former refugee from East Timor spoke of local and international issues ranging from the lack of a union movement for local taxi drivers to solutions for a better integration of East Timor with the rest of the international community.

Chris Atkinson from Resistance spoke of the plight of international students at the hands of the Department of Immigration, local police and the Northern Territory University which refuses to take responsibility for its full-fee paying overseas students.

Local artists held workshops and performed songs as diverse as Bob Marley's "get up stand up" to an R&B version of Madonna's "material girl". A street theatre performance was also held which parodied world leaders and their efforts to oppress the masses for wealth, military superiority and territory. Banners and placards bearing the words "Israel out" and "living wages" were handed out to the chanting crowd who then proceeded to the first destination of the march which was the Northern Territory Trades Hall.

Jamey Robertson, the local organiser for the AMWU, spoke of the significance of May 1 for workers around the world and reminded people not to forget the deaths of those who fought for workers rights. Allan Patton from the CEPEU on the current state of union activism in Australia, said was "disorganised and didn't know what they want". After the speech made by the unionist the crowd made their way towards the Department of Immigration.

Simon Hall from the Independent Education Union made an impassioned speech about the cost of DIMIA's racist policies to ordinary people's lives and how it created divisions within the Australian community. Nathan Zweck M.D. from the Darwin Refugee Health Network told the crowd the costs of detaining refugees in detention centres and the so-called "pacific solution" as opposed to much more humane ways such as the UK model at which point someone from the crowd shouted "I don't wanna pay for it!"

The crowd then headed for the Darwin Defence Recruitment Agency while chanting "lock up Ruddock - throw away the keys! We won't stop till we free the refugees!" Robin Waite fromASIET called for a cessation of military ties by Australia with Indonesia and quoted Megawani SurkanoPutri on a speech she gave to Indonesian troops on how to escape accountability and blame during military operations.

Just across the road from the DDRA is the Department of Justice where Gary Meyerhoff, organiser of Network Against Prohibition or NAP spoke about the Northern Territory governments harshh laws on drug users, mainly the drug house legislation and the still active public order and anti-social conduct act. Meyerhoff said that the NT government stance on the drug issue was just another way to further victimise already oppressed minority groups such as gay and indigenous groups.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: June 2002
Source: Delirra (Charles Darwin University Student's Union Newspaper)
Author: Ryk Molon
Website: http://su.cdu.edu.au
Email: delirra@su.cdu.edu.au
Copyright: 2002 Charles Darwin University Student's Union