"The big rally and march of 10,000 people against George Bush, John Howard and APEC in Sydney on September 8 was the real voice of the Australian people against the Iraq war and inaction on climate change," Jim McIlroy, Socialist Alliance candidate for the federal seat of Griffith, held by Labor leader Kevin Rudd, said on September 11. "Facing down the most intensive campaign of intimidation by police and governments in recent history, the people of Sydney and from interstate showed courage and determination in standing up for their right to protest in a peaceful but spirited way," McIlroy said.
"This popular show of defiance may turn out to the final nail in the coffin of the Howard government. Instead of gaining a bounce in the polls from the APEC circus, Howard looks more isolated and discredited than ever.
"And opposition leader Kevin Rudd should also be condemned for calling for a zero-tolerance policy by police towards alleged violent protests. He was just joining in the official campaign of intimidation by the federal and state governments towards citizens merely seeking to exercise their democratic right to protest. "Socialist Alliance is proud of its role in helping to organise and lead the mass demonstration in Sydney on September 8, and supporting the Resistance-led high school walk-outs against Bush on September 5 around the country," McIlroy said.
"SA pledges to campaign during the coming federal election for the immediate withdrawal of Australian troops from Iraq, and for urgent, serious action to tackle climate change."
