APEC security shows weakness of bosses system
SP Newsletter No.184
The APEC summit is drawing nearer and it seems that the state and the bosses’ media are stepping up their campaign against people planning to protest against the summit. Thousands of protesters are planning to rally in Sydney during the meeting, including about 200 travelling from Melbourne.
The police have been given extra powers to arrest ‘troublemakers’ at the event and hold them in jail until the APEC summit is over. Police are planning a major security operation for the summit with more than 3000 police on duty and military patrols of Sydney Harbour. It is estimated that over $200 million has been spent on the security operation despite absolutely no evidence of a terror threat.
Police have also brought in a high-powered water cannon if protests get too ‘rowdy’, while a 5 km barrier fence that sits 3 metres high will ring central Sydney and the APEC venues. The state has created a ‘Green zone†in the Sydney CBD that can only be compared to Bagdad.
In some good news for prisoners authorities will give about 200 prisoners a weekend off! They need to clear out jail cells during the summit in case they are needed to detain protesters. The 200 prisoners will be people convicted of ‘non-serious’ crimes and who only spend weekends in jail.
It is clear that the entire APEC security exercise is aimed at keeping the protesters away from the event and intimidating people. They want to discourage people from protesting and opposing APEC’s anti worker policies.
The massive security measures only show up the weaknesses of the bosses system. If they were so confident that capitalism was working well and that the discussions at APEC were designed to help ordinary people they wouldn’t need to resort to such extreme measures. In reality their system rests on extremely fragile foundations.
The last thing Howard, Bush and their big business mates need at this point in time is visible street protests criticising their neo liberal agenda and articulating and alternative way of running society. This is what the Socialist Party will be doing during the APEC protests.
In Melbourne the Socialist Party has also been involved in a new group set up especially for the event. It is called ACDC (Alliance for Civil Disobedience Co-ordination). ACDC is planning to not only attend the main protest rally but to disrupt aspects of the APEC proceedings.
ACDC is meeting in Melbourne every Thursday at Trades Hall up until the event.
Get on the ‘Red Buses’ to APEC
SP will be organising a fleet of ‘Red Buses to APEC’ from Melbourne to Sydney for the APEC summit. We will be leaving on Thursday September 6th (morning and returning on Sunday September 9th (evening). Costs will be approx $150 for workers and $100 for concession. These prices may be reduced due to sponsorship and funding. This price includes 3 nights camping space.
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. In the lead up to the event we will also be holding regular organising meetings. For more information or to put your name down for a seat call our National Office on 03 9639 9111
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The Socialist
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Regional Activity
Victoria
The SP Melbourne Branch meets every Wednesday 7pm at Trades Hall in Carlton South. 1st Floor Corner of Lygon & Victoria Streets. This week the Melbourne branch will host a member’s only meeting which will be discussing the situation in Bolivia.
New South Wales
To find out more info or to join SP in Sydney contact Gary - 02 9728 7727
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