Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Anti-war march brings Sydney to a halt
Up to a quarter of a million demonstrators jammed the centre of Sydney on Sunday in the biggest of a series of nationwide weekend rallies in Australia in protest against war in Iraq.
The rally, organised by a coalition of left-wing activists, trade unions, church groups and pacifists, filled a city park and stretched for two kilometres around, making crowd estimates difficult.
The rally, organised by a coalition of left-wing activists, trade unions, church groups and pacifists, filled a city park and stretched for two kilometres around, making crowd estimates difficult.
AUSTRALIA
Anti-war march brings Sydney to a halt
Posted Sun, 16 Feb 2003
Up to a quarter of a million demonstrators jammed the centre of Sydney on Sunday in the biggest of a series of nationwide weekend rallies in Australia in protest against war in Iraq.
The rally, organised by a coalition of left-wing activists, trade unions, church groups and pacifists, filled a city park and stretched for two kilometres around, making crowd estimates difficult.
Jubulant organisers claimed an attendance of 250 000 while police declined to give an estimate.
Thousands of Muslims marched shoulder-to-shoulder with local stars of stage and screen, people of all ages, race and political persuasion, many carrying banners and placards emblazoned with the same plea for peace.
Organisers claimed another 100 000 protesters turned out in Brisbane, similar numbers in Adelaide and thousands more in Darwin after rallies in other state capitals on Friday and Saturday.
Police estimated that more than 100 000 people brought Melbourne's city centre to a halt on Friday in one of the biggest rallies ever seen in the south-eastern city.
Prime Minister John Howard, one of the staunchest supporters of US President George W. Bush's campaign to disarm Iraq, arrived home on Sunday after visiting the United States, Britain and Indonesia for talks on the Iraq crisis.
Howard said he was not convinced the large crowds at anti-war rallies was evidence that public opinion was firming against war.
"What I'm doing here is what I think is right for Australia," he told Channel Seven. "This is not something where you read each opinion poll or you measure the number of people at demonstrations."
AFP
Copyright © 2003 iafrica.com*, a division of Metropolis*
Anti-war march brings Sydney to a halt
Posted Sun, 16 Feb 2003
Up to a quarter of a million demonstrators jammed the centre of Sydney on Sunday in the biggest of a series of nationwide weekend rallies in Australia in protest against war in Iraq.
The rally, organised by a coalition of left-wing activists, trade unions, church groups and pacifists, filled a city park and stretched for two kilometres around, making crowd estimates difficult.
Jubulant organisers claimed an attendance of 250 000 while police declined to give an estimate.
Thousands of Muslims marched shoulder-to-shoulder with local stars of stage and screen, people of all ages, race and political persuasion, many carrying banners and placards emblazoned with the same plea for peace.
Organisers claimed another 100 000 protesters turned out in Brisbane, similar numbers in Adelaide and thousands more in Darwin after rallies in other state capitals on Friday and Saturday.
Police estimated that more than 100 000 people brought Melbourne's city centre to a halt on Friday in one of the biggest rallies ever seen in the south-eastern city.
Prime Minister John Howard, one of the staunchest supporters of US President George W. Bush's campaign to disarm Iraq, arrived home on Sunday after visiting the United States, Britain and Indonesia for talks on the Iraq crisis.
Howard said he was not convinced the large crowds at anti-war rallies was evidence that public opinion was firming against war.
"What I'm doing here is what I think is right for Australia," he told Channel Seven. "This is not something where you read each opinion poll or you measure the number of people at demonstrations."
AFP
Copyright © 2003 iafrica.com*, a division of Metropolis*
For more information:
http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/209864.htm
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
Here in Australia, massive numbers are marching against a war on Iraq, and especially Australia's involvement. Our Prime Minister, John Howard, has already sent 2,000 military personnel and equipment to the gulf. Only the USA, Britain and Australian governments have sent personnel to the Gulf and are keen to invade Iraq with or without UN support.
On Friday more than 200,000 people marched in Melbourne, the largest political demonstration the city has ever seen. Similarly on Sunday between 250,000 to 500,000 people marched in Sydney opposing war. Even the smaller capital cities achieved record turnouts in numbers of people marching: Adelaide 100,000; Brisbane up to 100,000, Perth 20,000 Hobart up to 20,000; Canberra 15,000 Darwin 2,000. Some of the regional cities and towns had strong local protests: Newcastle 20,000; Armidale 5,000; Lismore 7,000 Byron Bay 3,000 . Many more towns had local marches of several hundred people.
All told between 750,000 and 1 million Australians have marched for peace this weekend.
This is one of the most unpopular wars ever. Civil disobedience is planned in Australia (stop work industrial action, etc) if the war goes ahead. Keep on marching and we may win the peace!
On Friday more than 200,000 people marched in Melbourne, the largest political demonstration the city has ever seen. Similarly on Sunday between 250,000 to 500,000 people marched in Sydney opposing war. Even the smaller capital cities achieved record turnouts in numbers of people marching: Adelaide 100,000; Brisbane up to 100,000, Perth 20,000 Hobart up to 20,000; Canberra 15,000 Darwin 2,000. Some of the regional cities and towns had strong local protests: Newcastle 20,000; Armidale 5,000; Lismore 7,000 Byron Bay 3,000 . Many more towns had local marches of several hundred people.
All told between 750,000 and 1 million Australians have marched for peace this weekend.
This is one of the most unpopular wars ever. Civil disobedience is planned in Australia (stop work industrial action, etc) if the war goes ahead. Keep on marching and we may win the peace!
For more information:
http://www.takver.com
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$210.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network