h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Yay!

M1 has come and gone, and the world has seen what the power of the people can do.

Here in Australia we blockaded the stock exchanges in several cities with protests, carnivals and general running-amok. Perth was fantastic. The most isolated capital city in the world is also generally the most apathetic, and yet enough people turned up to deny many workers access to the building. We did it with a conscience, though - Legal Aid workers and people who needed to get their passports were allowed through the blockade (there are other offices in the exchange building).

The day was marred by the activities of Police. I was shown on the news (or so I believe, some friends told me about it) trying to hold back a Police charge, as they tried to force their way through the blockade. Later horses were used on protestors in the driveway (which has 3 metre walls on each side), forcing them to retreat - until riot sqad police came marching back the other way, trapping the innocent and peaceful citizens in the middle. The horses charged and trampled the group, while the riot squad used their helmets as battering rams.

Later, and mysteriously, Police badges started disappearing - so that they could not be identified. Or perhaps not so mysteriously: one officer took off his name and number in plain view of the protestors, and then refused to give his details when asked.

Another man was arrested for playing bongo drums and dancing in the street, and was dragged into a room. Two police with batons followed into the room and closed the doors behind them.

But while the Police did their best to feed the media frenzy, turning a peaceful protest into what headlines described as "a series of violent clashes with police", the people were not stopped. We danced, drummed, and chanted all morning. I have never experienced such a wonderful and eclectic gathering. Socialists, trade unionists, environmentalists, students, anarchists, young, old, gay, straight, bi - everyone was there.

Perhaps the best was the writeup in today's paper. The usual "anti-globalisationists are a bunch of hippies waing a futile and misguided violent campaign" garbage was there, but a balanced op-ed piece by Andre Malan in the West Australian supported the *real* ideals of the movement, comparing the violent protests by a minority as similar to the early anti-Vietnam protests that eventually elicited mass support and caused change. (It was balanced because he also mentioned the foolish protestor who was interviewed on TV and criticised Nike - only to be shown wearing Nike shoes...)

There ain't no power like the power of the people and the power of the people don't stop!

(Join the uprising - join the Zaphodistas!)