The blockade of the World Economic Forum from Sept 11-13 (S11) has been
hailed as a significant political victory by most of those present.
Subscribers to the UACT email list will be aware that not all you read in
the mainstream press is accurate.
On day one 15-20,000 people coordinated a peaceful non-violent blockade
with speakers and activities that managed to raise enormous discussion
about the need for international working class solidarity against the
actions of the IMF, WTO, WEF, World Bank etc. The high level of
understanding among young people was especially inspiring. Day two saw the
addition of some 10,000 unionists from a trades hall rally and day three
had 10,000 march through the city and then circle the Crown Casino holding
hands. Many have described the action as a festival of the oppressed.
The police attacks have received wide ranging coverage and a rapid call for
an inquiry into the levels of police violence.
The following motion has been drafted by activists from Melbourne seeking
the widest support from unionists to condemn the actions and encourage an
inquiry.
Please circulate these and act upon them.
More information on these issues is available at <www.greenleft.org.au> and
<www.s11.org>
The motion below can be used in any and every opening to raise a discussion
in workplaces, union meetings, letters and /or articles to union journals
etc about the victory and lessons from S11 and the specific issue of police
violence.
Melanie Sjoberg
Motion for Union meetings/workplaces etc
Insert the appropriate wording where it says `the union'.
The Union condemns the assault by Victoria Police on the three day protest
and blockade of the World Economic Forum. In particular the unlawful baton
charges on Tuesday, September 12. We are extremely concerned at the
endorsement of these savage attacks by ALP Premiers' Steve Bracks and Bob Carr.
The Union regards these assaults as a dangerous attack on the right to
protest and a serious threat to the right of all Unions to establish picket
lines in the course of industrial campaigns.
The Union recognises that the Police have options other than the use of
force when faced with non -violent picketers or blockaders who may be
breaking the law by obstructing entry to particular premises.
The Union regards that actions of the Victoria Police in using overwhelming
force against S11 protestors as an attempt to punish the protesters rather
than an attempt to enforce the law.
The Union therefore demands that Premier Steve Bracks:
Publicly repudiate his comments endorsing the assaults by Victoria Police
against S11 protestors;
state that the Victorian Government opposes the use of violence by the
Police against non -violent demonstrators engaging in acts of civil
disobedience
Support an independent inquiry into Police violence against S11
demonstrators which would examine the actions of the Victoria police, and
in particular would investigate * who ordered the baton charges on Tuesday
September 12 * why demonstrators were given no warning prior to the baton
charges * why Police failed to wear their identification badges throughout
the protest
Instruct the Victoria Police that when confronted with people engaging in
summary offences, such as blockading driveways and the like, they are only
entitled to enforce the law by making arrests. In making such arrests,
police are only permitted to use reasonable force, and are duty bound to
use minimum force only. The use of overwhelming force against non -violent
picketers/blockaders engaging in such summary offences, is not acceptable
and unlawful
The officials of Union will take the necessary steps to make its position
on this issue known to Union members and the general public. The Union will
also work closely with other Unions and community organisations to see that
our demands in relation to this issue are met.
--
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