Draft statement for group/individuals to sign.
The Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance are seeking endorsement of
this statement regarding police violence. We want the M1 Alliance to adopt
this statement. We call on all anti-corporate activists to please add your
name to the list of endorsees.
To endorse statement please reply to Sarah Peart ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
At the Melbourne M1 Alliance meeting on Wednesday February 14, a motion was
passed which read in part ``That the blockade should intend to block access
to the Stock Exchange on the basis of non-violent resistance, as was
successful at S11. The M1 Alliance condemns police violence at the S11
blockade.''
The M1 Alliance recognises that the strategic aim of the M1 campaign is to
mobilise the largest numbers of anti-corporate protestors in a mass
expression of civil disobedience, focused on the Australian Stock Exchange
(ASX) and corporate Melbourne on May 1. We further recognise that all
tactics employed by the Alliance should be subservient to achieving this
strategic aim. The question with how the Alliance shall deal with the
potential for (police) violence at M1 is such a tactical question.
The S11 Alliance maintained a position of defending a non-violent blockade
of the Crown Cassino throughout the three day blockade of S11-S13. The
violence that did occur over those three days was initiated and perpetrated
by the Victorian Police force at the bidding of the Victorian Labor
government. The Alliance's tactic of mass, non-violent resistance
successfully worked to minimise the impact of police violence, confronting
the police with mass, well disciplined and determined blockades at most
entry points to the Casino, particularly on S11 and S12.
Where the police were able to resort to violence this was largely against
blockades that had relatively few people and were unable to be reinforced.
Strong, disciplined blockades with sufficient numbers of people were able
to hold their position against police provocation.
We further note that the resort to police violence at S11 is continuing to
have serious political ramifications for the Bracks government and the
Victorian Police. The recent pay-outs to victims of police violence at the
Richmond Secondary College protests, the backlash against Bracks and
ongoing investigation into police tactics at S11 all point to a correct
decision of the S11 Alliance to advocate non-violence.
The decision of the M1 Alliance to adopt a position of non-violent intent
was crucial in convincing trade union leaderships to support the M1 action
and to commit to organising a march to the blockade on the morning of May
1, it will also be crucial in building M1 amongst the general public.
--
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