https://iclfi.org/pubs/rb/1/pdc
There is an urgent need to mobilise against the attacks on supporters of Palestine in this country. A campaign is being waged by police, employers, and ALP governments against those opposing genocide. The government is showing its utmost allegiance to the U.S. alliance. The Zionist witchhunt is escalating. We need a united campaign of defence.
Just last week, Port Botany protesters, including the MUA’s Sydney branch secretary and other union members, were arrested and are now set to face court. Demonstrators at VICT’s Melbourne dock were attacked with rubber bullets and stun grenades. Following pro-Zionist media pressure, the Australian government said it would deny Leila Khaled, member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a visa and reportedly she will be banned from even speaking online at a Green Left conference. Green Left’s Facebook page was shut down after publishing interviews with her.
These attacks and arrests represent a threat to trade unions, the oppressed and the right to protest, picket and advocate Palestinian liberation. The unions, in particular, have a responsibility to exercise their industrial power to defend their members and organisations from attack. It is in the interest of all supporters of Palestine and of the working class as a whole, to mobilise against this witchhunt. There needs to be united, co-ordinated defence of all victims. We welcome any proposals for common defence work.
PDC
31 March 2024
The following are protest letters sent to authorities by the PDC.
Drop the charges!
The arrest, under anti-protest laws, of nineteen demonstrators at Port Botany on 24 March is an egregious act of state repression against supporters of Palestine and represents an affront to the right to protest in Australia. We demand that all charges against these protesters be dropped immediately and unconditionally!
No to anti-Palestinian witchhunt!
The government’s stated intention to refuse Leila Khaled a visa and the threatened ban on her even appearing online at Green Left’s EcoSocialism conference in Perth is a blatant act of political censorship. We demand that she be let in and allowed to speak, whether in-person or online. End the escalating anti-democratic witchhunt of pro-Palestinian activists!
