APEC

I find it bizarre that the so called protesters are saying they are there to stop the violence in Iraq by gearing up for violence against their own police force doing their job of protecting visiting heads of state, I am certainty not a fan of Bush and Co and believe every person has the right to protest. I know things have changed since I was a twenty something and know it all, but some of the greatest protesters have used peace as their weapon ‘Gandhi Nelson Mandela “ to name two. So by all means show your distaste and protest loud but do it in peace, wishful thinking? Maybe.

Font Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print Sarah Elks | August 30, 2007
A MELBOURNE group has announced its intention to violently disrupt next week's APEC summit and has issued a call to action to recruit more people for a "mass, strategic intervention".

The group, AC/DC, which is believed to be aligned with the anarchist political movement, plans to act as a "mobile disruption" unit during APEC, which will be held in Sydney for a week from Sunday.

AC/DC's open letter, posted on a number of internet forums, said APEC "promotes exploitation, inequality and the destruction of the planet" and acknowledged the group's actions might be seen as violent.

"By the very praxis of stepping out and challenging their control of space, we are committing what is regarded as a violent act," the letter reads.

"It is the violence of articulating resistance; it is a violation against their understanding of our lives."

The letter says it is important "that we stay safe and minimise the repercussions of police repression in our families and communities".

A spokesman for the Stop Bush Coalition, organisers of the biggest APEC protest on Saturday, September 8, insisted its march would be peaceful.

"We've clearly indicated that we intend for this to be a peaceful protest and we've chosen a march route that signals we're not interested in a confrontation with police," Alex Bainbridge said.

"We're confident that's going to happen on the day."

The march, which is expected to attract 5000 people, will highlight the issues of the war in Iraq, a comprehensive response to climate change and workers' rights.

Mr Bainbridge, 35, said concern over violent protest was unfounded.

"I don't think it's very likely," he said. "We've seen in the past these sorts of things get exaggerated in the media and then we turn up on the day and nothing happens."

He said he was more concerned about police violence against protesters.

"We've had this whole scare campaign for months of new water cannons, new stun guns, the new fence being set up and new police powers," he said. "It's not outlandish to think there might be some police that might be trigger-happy."