Doves ascending
February 15 2003
Even before the first shot is fired, a powerful international protest is gathering against war on Iraq. Tomorrow, writes Andrew Stevenson, it takes to Sydney's streets.
Every month in Sydney a rebellious rump protests about something - the oppression of Palestinians, the tyranny of the World Trade Organisation or the Howard Government's higher education policies. A ragged crowd of a few thousand attend, chant slogans and go home, their anger somewhat appeased, to leave the world to go on its merry way.
Every few years, however, an issue enters Sydney's suburban heartland and beside the Trots and the dread-locked students march the mums and dads, proving that protest remains a form of social expression still popular beyond the radical fringe.
On November 30 last year about 10,000 people marched in Sydney, their presence all but ignored. Tomorrow, from midday, they'll all march again with the same demand - no war against Iraq - only this time, organisers confidently predict, their ranks will be at least five, perhaps 10, times larger.
The rally is part of a co-ordinated campaign linking opponents around the globe - and across Australia. The Reverend Jesse Jackson will address a massive rally in the centre of London. Last night opponents of the war gathered for a peace picnic outside the Civic Centre in Ulladulla. Peace groups are reforming after years of inactivity, their banners dusted off once more.
A co-convener of Walk Against The War, Bruce Childs, has no doubt a huge shift in public sentiment has taken place. "When ordinary people, as they are, are ringing me from every possible place, including the country areas, you know that it is not the organisations themselves that are driving it. It's gone beyond them. There's no question it's already gone mainstream."
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