Statement from Stop Bush Coalition
There has been a lot of unfounded speculation and concern about conflict during the APEC conference.
We are making this statement today to make clear the intentions of protesters during APEC.
People have the right to protest during APEC and register their concern about government policies in areas such as climate change, workers rights, fair trade and the Iraq war.
We want to make clear we do not support George Bush and John Howard and the policies they represent.
This right is threatened by the heavy handed security approach during the APEC conference and the exaggerated hype around potential conflict.
The Stop Bush Coalition is planning a peaceful protest in Sydney on September 8 starting with a rally at Sydney Town Hall.
We will then march from Town Hall along George St, through Martin Place and back along Macquarie St to finish at Hyde Park.
We have informed police of our intentions and are yet to receive a formal response. While we do not need permission from police to hold our march, we would like their support and for them to facilitate our protest.
[This statement was read at an August 8 media conference to announce the march route for the September 8 rally. The media conference was attended by Alex Bainbridge (Stop Bush Coalition), John Kaye (NSW Greens), Paul Garrett (Maritime Union of Australia), Wenny Theresia (Australian Student Environment Network), Jim Casey (Fire Brigade Employees Union) & Michael Bozic (NSW Council of Civil Liberties).
[A "schedule 1" notification with details of this march route has been submitted to police.]
