Protests and Registrations

(below)

The "Not In Our Name Protest "(from 28/3/03 mailout)

What's been happening?

- On Tuesday the 25th March Senator Bartlett tabled 30,000 'Not In Our Name' registrants in the senate. The audio and text of his speech can be accessed using links found on the home page of our site at www.notinourname.org.au

- On Wednesday the 26th March Senator Nettle tabled 20,000 'Not In Our Name' registrants in the senate

What can you do?

- Continue to send other Australians a link to the register. Use the 'tell my friends' web page located at http://www.notinourname.org.au/tellmyfriends

- Attend local peace rallys and support local initiatives against war

- Wear a purple ribbon and show your objection to a War on Iraq

- Burn a candle in your window at night to keep the light of reason and hope burning (don't forget to blow it out before you go to bed). For info visit http://www.moveon.org/windowlight/

- Lights on for peace - Motorists are encouraged to turn their lights on for peace during the day. For info visit http://www.planetradio.com.au

Books Not Bombs

The Books Not Bombs student activists who faced severe police violence in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth yesterday need your help. They have appealed for support for the next April 2 student strike because the NSW Police Commissioner is saying no permit will be given. In fact he is threatening to take out a Supreme Court injunction to arrest anyone who turns up for the protest!

On March 5, Books not Bombs organised a peaceful protest in which some 7000 high schools students took part. The police were under-prepared for the rather chaotic but nevertheless peaceful rally.

However, on March 26 some hundreds of police were deployed (including mounted police, tactical response group units and sniffer dogs) and proceeded to act in a very intimidatory and provocative way. Students of Middle Eastern appearance were singled out for harassment. Students were trampled, beaten, some Muslim women students had their hijabs torn off, and arrested for minor infringements – largely incited by the heavy handedness of the police.

Students are calling for support from peace groups, parents, teachers and unionists. Some parents are initiating a group to monitor police violence against their children. Legal support and observer teams are being organised for the April 2 protest, and the students have called on the state government to initiative an independent inquiry into the police actions on March 26.

Books Not Bombs activists have also sought to negotiate arrangements to keep the protest peaceful with the police.

What you can do:

1. Send a message of support to: <booksnotbombs@booksnotbombs.org.au
Simon Butler 0405 733 768 Kylie Moon 0411 104 813
Lauren Carrol-Harris 02-9690 1977 Mollie Boland 0439 410 278
2. Offer any practical help (legal, financial, publicity, etc) to contacts above.

3. Sign the statement of support below.

STUDENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO PROTEST

I/We, the undersigned, support the students’ right to protest peacefully against the war on Iraq in Sydney and other cities on April 2. I/We call upon the police authorities to cooperate with the protest organisers and refrain from provocative or intimidatory behaviour towards the students.