http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/01/11/1041990138738.html
War protesters plan their own lightning attack
By John Kidman, Police Reporter
January 12 2003
The Sun-Herald
Police have been placed on emergency standby as plans emerge for a mass
demonstration within hours of the United States declaring any war on Iraq.
A coalition of more than 100 local protest groups has been preparing
since November to launch the lightning action at 5pm "on the day bombing
starts", The Sun-Herald has learnt.
As a result, an alert memo has been issued to 23 city police commands
seeking their help in responding to "a major and possibly violent
protest at extremely short notice".
It is expected any rally would target the US consulate in Martin Place.
Organisers, however, have warned that some protesters would be
determined to agitate on several fronts, including Prime Minister John
Howard's offices in Phillip Street and Governor Macquarie Tower.
While the so-called Network Against War and Racism (NoWar) is understood
to comprise a traditional collective of student, political and union
groups, police are concerned the march may also involve a "religious
focus lending itself to a more radical element".
Organisers insist the rally will embrace a simple anti-war message.
"As far as the coalition is concerned, we have something like 46 paid-up
organisations or groups and another 60 or so coming along," spokeswoman
Hannah Middleton said.
"Among them, it's agreed that there should be no war and no Australian
involvement."
At the same time, there had also been "a great effort to reach into the
Arab or Muslim community".
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