Melbourne protesters set to join anti-APEC rally
The following article was written by Mark Dunn and published in todays Herald Sun newspaper in Melbourne. It features quotes from Socialist Party National Organiser, Anthony Main.
MORE than 100 Melbourne protesters are expected to travel to Sydney to join mass protests against the APEC meeting next month.
US President George W. Bush’s attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit is drawing demonstrators.
And Victorian protesters were not ruling out militant tactics.
“The Socialist Party has not ruled out mass civil disobedience,” Socialist party national organiser Anthony Main said.
“We are going to be up there for a few days and we are not ruling out some further, more militant, action aimed at disrupting the APEC proceedings,” he said.
Corporate offices in central Sydney may be targets, blockades built, and areas around the APEC meeting that police have designated as no-go zones may be infiltrated, Mr Main said.
“We think it’s outrageous they’ve got these declared zones. We refuse to let the police tell us where and when we can have a protest.”
Mr Main said up to 36 Socialist supporters would go to Sydney, but other groups were taking Victorian protesters.
“I expect well over 100 (from Victoria),” he said.
Melbourne members of Stop the War Coalition and the Socialist Alternative Red Bloc are joining the Sydney protest.
NSW police have established a “black list” of individuals banned from APEC security areas.
Victoria Police have worked with NSW on activists known to have been involved in violent aspects of last year’s G20 protests in Melbourne.
Some of those people are understood to be on the NSW watch list.
Protest groups estimate between 2000 and 10,000 demonstrators will rally against APEC, a group of 21 countries that meets to discuss trade.
Chinese President Hu Jintao, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin are among the world leaders who will attend.
Federal and state authorities are spending $170 million on security for the event.
The summit runs from September 5 to 9.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22246438-2862,00.html
Preparing for APEC – Public Meeting in Melbourne TONIGHT!
Preparation meeting for potential attendees from Melbourne on SP’s ‘Red Buses’ to Sydney. Come along if you want to go to APEC or are thinking about it.
7pm Wednesday August 15th at Trades Hall, Corner of Lygon & Victoria Sts Carlton South.
The Agenda includes: What is APEC and what is expected from the summit, the possibilities of protest and direct action in Sydney, the nature of the police preparation, what we will do when we get there, liaison with other groups, planning for the trip, first aid and health and safety at the event.
If you cant make the meeting and still want to come to Sydney with SP you can!
Get on the ‘Red Buses’ to APEC
SP will be organising a fleet of ‘Red Buses to APEC’ from Melbourne to Sydney on September 7-9. We are taking expressions of interest for seats now.
If you support the APEC protests against the neo-liberal heavy weights, and can’t make it in person to the protests, you can sponsor a place by donation.
For more information or to put your name down for a seat call our National Office on 03 9639 9111
