- The Guardian
- Issue #2157
Boorloo/Perth
PERTH
On 2 August, Perth once again met at Forrest place to stand in solidarity with the international Palestinian movement and pressure the Australian government to act against the Israeli genocide.
Although the morning had been persistently drenched by hard rains, people made their way to the city in spite of it.
When the rally began the rain had almost entirely cleared and the 100+ protesters started the call for a free Palestine. There were cheers of support as it was revealed that the NSW Supreme court had ruled in favour of the activists, confirming that the police prohibition order was declined and that the Sydney Harbour Bridge march would be going ahead the following day.
The protest had speakers from the union movement, local academics, the Palestinian community, and Jews for Palestine, each one repeating the call to action for people disgusted by the blind eye of our government as well as governments around the world to the atrocities being carried out against the Palestinian people.
Several Party members raised the flag and their CPA umbrellas in the crowd as well as on the march through the streets, joining in the calls to stop the occupation and for the Australian government to stop their support for this genocidal regime and continuing our demand to recognise a free and independent Palestinian state.
Speakers included a representative from the Electrical Trades Union.
This month marks 22 months of Israel’s indiscriminate destruction of Gaza. International pressure has been mounting on governments who have desperately tried to ignore and create cover for Netanyahu and the right-wing extremists in the Israeli government.
The move for change is too little too late, but the suffering in Gaza must end, protests like this one must continue across the globe. Big or small, the voices of the movement are strong and will continue to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Lexi Goff, WA Branch
ADELAIDE
Tarntanya/Adelaide
On Sunday 24 July, Free Palestine supporters gathered at Peace Park in North Adelaide.
Several speakers addressed an outstandingly large crowd. Speakers included representatives from the Australian Friends of Palestine Association, Islamic Council, Students for Palestine, Unions for Palestine, and several others.
Unions for Palestine spoke to the need for trade unions to take a more decisive role in this struggle, giving as an example the Anti-Apartheid struggle in South Africa. He urged people present to join their union and place pressure on the leadership. To take immediate action to end any complicity in Genocide, i.e. End trade with Israel and its backers.
Some statements from speakers included:
- “The Liberal Party has sold its sole to the Zionists.”
- “Labor is guilty of cowardice.”
The Greens have been the only parliamentary party with a consistently supportive voice of conscience throughout.
The marchers then proceeded peacefully to Parliament House.
