THE CAMPAIGN to defend 32 activists facing charges arising from the anti-G20 protests is gathering momentum with a series of successful public events.On April 26, over 70 people attended a public forum entitled "Defending Political Protest and Civil Rights", held in the Fitzroy Town Hall reading room.

The meeting was jointly organised by the Ongoing G20 Arrestees Solidarity Network (OGASN) and Civil Rights Defence (CRD).

A speaker from OGASN explained the role of the G20 in imposing neo-liberal and militarist policies. She argued that protesters were right to use direct action to confront and challenge the legitimacy of such institutions.

Socialist Marcus Banks drew parallels between the police and media campaign against G20 protesters and the case of the Austudy Five, in which charges were brought against five socialist activists in 1992 following militant student protests.

Marcus described how a successful defence campaign was built by relating the call to drop the charges with concerns about the wider attacks on social and economic rights that occurred under the Keating and Kennett governments. This enabled the campaign to win support from the wider labour and social movements.

CRD's Colin Mitchell and defence lawyer Rob Stary spoke about the wider attacks on civil liberties under the guise of "anti-terror" laws, arguing that these repressive laws must be repealed.

The cases of Jack Thomas and the Barwon 13 were highlighted as examples of individuals being targeted to serve the divide-and-rule policies of the federal government.

Why we must

defend arrestees

The police, prosecution and media have from the outset attempted to vilify and isolate the G20 arrestees as a "criminal" element.

The aim of this is to split the radical left from the wider movement and in general to intimidate people from engaging in protest or civil disobedience against bodies like APEC.

To successfully defend the G20 arrestees we need to break this atmosphere of repression and isolation. Public meetings and well-publicised solidarity actions are an essential first step.

We need to explain that these are political charges, occurring within a context of wider attacks on civil rights as well as union rights under the Work Choices legislation.

If we succeed in defending the G20 arrestees, it will be a boost for everyone fighting back against the Howard government.

Key to defending the G20 arrestees is winning the support of a layer of organisations and individuals across the broader left and union movement. A debate tactics is fine-but it should not distract anyone from the main issue at hand.

Protesters were right to confront the G20-it is an anti-democratic body that imposes neo-liberal policies on workers and the poor.

The charges against activists are politcally motivated-to intimidate the left and social movements and discouarge protest action. These charges must be dropped.

By Hamish McPherson

The OGASN is seeking public endorsements for a solidarity rally outside the next court hearing. Contact the OGASN to record your individual or organisation's support for dropping the charges at afterg20@gmail.com or phone 0401 331 850

Solidarity rally-Defend politcial protest, Drop the charges!
10am Friday 31st August
Melbourne Magistrates Court
233 William St City