There’s nothing like the emitting of carbon to spark off a protest – and I’m not talking about climate change.
Thursday’s Canberra leg of the Olympic Torch relay could flash scenes of serene placard holders, smiling families with balloon-toting children or it could ignite in a hot bed of troublemaking chaos – it all depends on the type of protesters that turn up.
The success of promoting a cause through protests and rallies relies on getting the message across to effect change – but how many of these protesters are fuelled by true conviction and how many are present for popularity or plotting for trouble? The types of protesters are the true, the trendies and the troublemakers – which ones are good or bad for the cause they purport to support?

What is a protest?
Protests are a part of some societies – they are the voice to an idea, a cause, and can be summed up by some catchy by-line ‘save the X’, ‘free the Y’. Protests can range from candlelight vigils outside embassies to Molotov fuelled rage and car overturnings.
The Olympic torch relay is but one example that has aroused such a range of reactions, radiated by the full spectrum of protester types.

True Protester
Who is a true protester then? They are the people that follow the cause in all sincerity – the real vegans, not the ones who wear Nike shoes with leather upper. The real greenies, who chain themselves to Huon pines for months on end. They are the organisers of protests and can actually describe what they mean by ‘anti-globalisation’ with an articulate and passionate explanation, backed up with reasoned and evidenced facts.

Trendy Protester
Whereas if anyone ever did a survey of the crowds at protests they’d also come across those who cannot explain what drove them to leave their house – the trendy types whose idea of green is to use recycled loo paper only to have a 20 minute shower. Trendies are identified by rubber bangles and rainbow bumper stickers with slogans of ‘save-the-whales-dolphins-green-tree-frog’. On a sunny day, they love a stroll with their mates, even to anti-globalisation protests that in principle should see them naked of their jeans sewn on shores far away and shipped to a store on Queen St.

‘Sorry day’ is one example of trendy protesting, the champagne socialists with kids piggy-backed on shoulders walking across the Sydney Harbour Bridge – but would they give up their house if it was on traditional land? The trendies may seek publicity for themselves, like the French Olympic team with their chic little badges to encourage unity – who are not even frog-spined enough to say ‘Free Tibet’. Even if they came right out and said it, do they really know what it means suddenly uproot and remove infrastructure, even if provided from via a despotic foreign invader, from an agrarian based economy?

Despite trendies wearing more ribbons than a West Virginian kiddie beauty pageant entrant, do they detract from the credibility of the cause, thereby diminishing the ultimate aim? No, they’re just jumping on the bandwagon – not everyone can be a Condoleeza Rice of current events, but trendies can follow the lead of true protesters, and help them out by getting in the faces of politicians.

Troublemaker protester
Helping the cause is not on the mind of the bloke with the hair product and fu^% Bush t-shirt who replies to the query of why globalisation is bad: ‘ I dunno, I’m here to impress the chicks’.

If not to impress, then to cause distress and unrest – the troublemaker protester is the one we see on the news, their flannelette shirt dragged along the concrete by riot-geared cops, stubbled face hidden behind dreadlocks and snarling dogs. One imagines a post-protest get-together of counting how many pigs they punched.
The troublemakers may get the journos foaming at the mouth, but does their behaviour really help the cause? They might try to justify their actions as ‘nice guys finish last’ and ‘passive resistance is for pussies’. On one level, they may be right – it takes a shake-up to shock anyone into change anymore. But troublemaker protesters who use gratuitous violence as their vehicle are bad for the cause – they turn the politicians away as much as the general voting public. For a cause to be heard and acted upon, getting politicians on side is essential because all they care about is the next election. Sure, in countries that don’t have elections, I can understand a bit of biff, but do Parisians really need to throw eggs and bottles at the relay bus and Londoners need swarm upon the torch runner?

When that flame comes by, will there be peace-signs or sirens? For the sake of the Olympic cause of unity and humanity, let’s hope the true and trendy protesters lead the way.

This is a special Annual event for National Heart Week.

The Workplace Walk Challenge is on Tuesday 6th May 2008 from 12.30pm, starting at the Ferry Terminal Acton Peninsula.

The walk is for 30 minutes, it is not a race or distance challenge, just a 30 minutes stroll towards the Captain Cook Memorial and back.

Every participant receives a certificate.  There is a $500 prize for the "best dressed" community group, and a ‘lunch’ for "best dressed" corporate group.  So why not get a group together with your organisation t-shirt or whatever, and join in the fun!

We are asking for a ‘gold coin’ donation per participant to the Heart Foundation (ACT) for Heart Week. ACT CISM hosts this Challenge to promote exercise and group recreation as good stress management strategies.

Congratulations to last year’s winners – The Warehouse Circus (Community) and UNISYS (Corporate).

Details are available at www.act-cism.org.auwalk
 

Christians preparing for ACT election

Christians in the ACT are beginning their campaign for the upcoming ACT election. The election is an important one for Christians as it is likely to be the only election to be held in Australia this year, and there are many important issues in the ACT that could swing Christian votes.

Recently a group of Christians of different professions and denominations met together at the Parkway church in order to prepare strategies for the election, which they could then communicate to their churches.

ACL Managing Director Jim Wallace said that a recent demographic analysis of the 2007 Federal election results by Australian Development Strategies showed that the Christian vote significantly impacted the outcome.

“This assessment provided valuable confirmation of the importance of the Christian vote and the fact that it is not held captive by one particular party, but can be won or lost by either side,” Mr Wallace said.

“We anticipate that the Christian vote will also be important in the ACT election.”

ACL ACT State Director Richard Thackway also spoke at the breakfast, and laid out several key events that the ACL will be holding as the election draws closer:

“We are planning to hold several meetings for all the church leaders around Canberra, as well as having experts talk at forums, inviting candidates to talk to the Christian constituency, and maybe even holding a large event for the major parties just before the election,” Mr Thackway said.

“Our focus in the election will be particularly on the issues of open and transparent government, the negative impact of the sexualisation of society, and the importance of strong families.”

Mr Wallace said that because decisions made in the ACT can flow on and affect the rest of Australia, this election will be a particularly crucial one, and Christians need to be aware and involved in the issues.
 

Anzac Day 2008, is the 90th Anniversary of the famous battle of Villers-Bretonneux. On the night of 24 April 1918 and through the morning of 25 April 1918, Australian troops attacked German forces at Villers-Bretonneux.

Until the last year of the First World War, the small French manufacturing town of Villers-Bretonneux held no particular significance to Australia. It was now important because it was on the main road and rail line along the direct German approach to the major city of Amiens.

On 24 April, at 4.45 am on a dull and misty morning, heavy German artillery fire descended on the British troops who were occupying the line in front of Villers-Bretonneux. Behind the town Australians met young soldiers withdrawing who told them the Germans were advancing with flame-throwers and with tanks. Amiens was under direct and serious threat.

Most of the German thrust fell on the southern side of Villers-Bretonneux: Major General J.J. Talbot Hobb’s 5th Australian Division was not far away on the plateau to the north. By not conforming to a withdrawal – that is, by not joining in the withdrawal – the division would play its own vital role in the battle, and its 15th Brigade would soon have a very active part.

The Germans fought through to the Amiens side of Villers-Bretonneux, which was being pounded by artillery fire. It was essential that the allies mount a quick and powerful counter-attack before the enemy could consolidate. However only the Australian 13th Brigade (4th Division) and 15th Brigade (5th Division), which were in reserve, and some British battalions were available. The 15th Brigade was already close by and had been sending out its own patrols, but the 13th Brigade was resting more than ten kilometres away at Querrieu. It received orders mid-morning to move towards the action. Although the 13th had suffered in heavy fighting at nearby Dernancourt three weeks earlier, it headed off “brimming with confidence”.

The quickly prepared plan was for the 15th Brigade to attack on the north of the town and the 13th on the south, in a pincer movement. British troops would be alongside and would also follow through in the gap between the Australians. Artillery support was available, but there could be no preliminary bombardment or creeping barrage.

The two Australian brigades were each under the most redoubtable leaders of the AIF, Brigadier Generals William Glasgow and H.E. “Pompey” Elliott. Both were tough, courageous and battle-wise. Within a few months Glasgow would rise to the command of the 1st Australian Division. Even so, when told that the attack would take place that evening, while there was still light. He responded, “If God Almighty gave the order, we couldn’t do it by daylight.” Finally he proposed 10.30 pm, and then reluctantly agreed on 10 pm. It turned out that he was right to resist this haste, as in the end neither brigade was able to get into position in time.

Within the platoons there was hasty discussion of orders and the issuing of grenades and extra bandoliers of rifle ammunition. Then they began to move up to their starting positions in the dim light. At the appointed time of 10 pm, the supporting artillery opened fire, but the infantry were not ready. German flares fizzed into the sky, falling in red, white, green, and golden bunches, and their artillery began to retaliate. Heavy fire fell on the town, bringing down roofs and walls and setting buildings on fire. Glasgow’s men eventually moved off from their start positions with bayonets fixed, and more than an hour later Elliott’s did too.

The Australian advance rolled forward, often straight into the face of machine-guns. To the south the men were finding their way over unfamiliar ground in the darkness. On the north, dashing forward, some in the 57th Battalion began yelling. Despite all of the noise, they could be heard on the other side of the town. An officer remembered, “The yelling rose high and passed to the 58th and 60th Battalions. Baying like hell-hounds, they also charged.”

It was in such fighting that Lieutenant Clifford Sadlier of the 51st Battalion won the Victoria Cross that night. He and his sergeant, Charlies Stokes, carrying their own bags of grenades (“bombs”), boldly led their platoon against enemy posts. There were heavy casualties. At one point Sadlier attacked a machine-gun position alone with his revolver. His citation says, “His coolness and utter disregard of danger inspired all.” Only after being wounded a second time during the attack did he retire.

The fighting went on throughout the night, and the Australians eventually got to the other side of Villers-Bretonneux. Victory had come on the anniversary of ANZAC Day. Now came the task of mopping up and clearing the town. Early in the morning some tanks assisted. For a while the gap between the brigades allowed some Germans to escape along the railway, which was protected by a deep cutting. But they had been driven off, leaving the ground to the Australian and British troops. Many Germans were killed and many others who were trapped had surrendered. The German drive towards Amiens had failed; they did not try again.

ANZAC Day Friday 25 April 2008
Dawn Service 5.30 am
National Ceremony 10.15 am

The ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra is one of the nations’ most moving ceremonies. Each year thousands of Australians gather by candlelight to commemorate the anniversary of the first military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces.

Bring your family and friends to experience the emotion of the lone bugler playing the Last Post as you pay your respects to those who gave their lives in the service of their country. After the ceremony, gain a true understanding of the experiences of our ANZACs by taking time to explore the new Conflicts 1945 to today galleries at the Australian War Memorial on this important national day.

For more information visit www.awm.gov.au

“The Olympics are ruined. Though not due to start till August, they are already comprehensively and irreparably ruined. And not just in 2008. Because when the games go ahead in Beijing, the whole Olympic movement will be brought into disrepute forever.”

These robust words were written in The Independent by Eamonn Sweeneyy, an Irish journalist and author. His is just one of the many voices speaking out against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the biggest autocracy in the world which is set to host the Olympic games in August.

Even before the Olympics Games, Canberrans will be able to go and see the official Olympic Torch Relay as it travels through their city. But the torch might not be all they see. Relay events in Athens spiralled out of control when a Tibet protester managed to break through the barricade and interrupt the lighting ceremony, and later, another lay across the path of the Torch, covered in fake blood. In China, state-media cut the signal straight away.

The rest of its journey through Athens met with more difficulty from shouting protesters, and soon after, organisers began hastily scaling back events in Paris and San Francisco. The rest of the Torch’s “journey of harmony” around the world may be similarly beset. Chinese authorities have already requested the army escort the Torch through Canberra, which the AFP rejected, because Australia is a democracy. Many see Beijing’s use of the Olympics, and Torch relay, as a mere propaganda stunt, a means of whitewashing its human rights record. Parallels with the 1936 Berlin Games hosted by Hitler readily spring to mind.

Every major media outlet around the world has been carrying the grim news about the latest crisis in Tibet, where monks and others are being shot in the streets for protesting against the Communist Party’s decades long, systematic destruction of their culture. Journalists have been shipped out and the army shipped in. Houses are have been raided, innocents jailed and lives ruined.

But reading what the CCP says is enough to see how far out of touch with reality they are. The Christian Science Monitor recently reported the Tibet Communist Party leader, Zhang Qingli, saying the Dalai Lama was “a wolf wrapped in monk’s robes, a devil with a human face and a beast’s heart.” He added: “We are in the midst of a fierce struggle involving blood and fire, a life-and-death struggle with the Dalai clique.” Really? But the Dalai Lama is an icon of peace in the West, and is widely held in high regard. He has repeatedly made clear that the Tibetans only desire meaningful autonomy, not even independence from China. Years of violence on the side of the Communists have met with peaceful response. Indeed, the Dalai Lama is not the first target of propaganda—the same slander has been meted out to the Falun Gong spiritual practice for nearly a decade, and Uighur Muslims have also been subjected to it.

It does not stop there. The brutality being seen now in Tibet is a window into what has been going on in China for decades, but which the West has largely ignored. On the occasion of the world’s most violent regime chaperoning the revered Olympic Torch to Canberra and around the world, let us look at what is going on under the surface and reflect on our response. Inside Sport magazine published a six-page spread of 20 reasons why people should boycott the Games, and the reasons why they will not. Here now are just five and an alternative suggestion to boycotting.

Censorship
The CCP keeps a stranglehold on information circulation in China. It controls, to varying degrees, all media outlets. Journalists and editors who fail to toe the Party line in reporting faces repercussions. The Party has also set up a “Great Firewall of China”, as a way of blocking access to websites it does not want the public to see. It also jails journalists —foreign journalists may be threatened, arrested and released, while domestic journalists may languish in dungeons for years.

Darfur
Darfur is a small region in the west of Sudan. The CCP has economic interests wrapped up in the north African country, mostly involving oil. It supplies the Sudanese regime with weapons and the Sudanese supply the Chinese with oil. There is an ongoing genocide in Darfur, where militia raid the country on horseback, pillaging and burning villages, raping women and hacking people to death with machetes. The death toll is in the hundreds of thousands, and goes up every day. Darfur has made headlines recently because Steven Spielberg quit as artistic advisor to the Games opening ceremony, in protest of China’s military and economic support of the Sudanese regime.

Falun Gong
The traditional spiritual practice based on truthfulness, compassion and forbearance, hugely popular in China before 1999, until its popularity became too great and the regime turned on it. Since then, Chinese society has been turned upside down in a Cultural Revolution style campaign to vilify, bankrupt, and inflict extreme violence against practitioners. Books were burnt in the streets, propaganda filled the airwaves, and now this group makes up two thirds of all reported torture cases and over half the labour camp population. They are forced into psychiatric institutions, violently abused, raped, tortured to death, or simply executed. In 2006, shocking news surfaced that they are also victims of systematic, live organ harvesting.

Tibet
After gaining control of China, the CCP lost little time before invading Tibet. Since 1950, according to Stephen Gregory of The Epoch Times, “The Tibetans have been conquered and colonized, have had their culture relentlessly attacked, their language suppressed, and their bodies tortured, while having suffered an estimated 1.2 million dead under a brutal five-decade-long occupation by the CCP.” With the recently completed Qinghai-Tibet railway, Han Chinese are also being imported, who now far outnumber native Tibetans. And something doesn’t smell right about the recent “violent” protests. In 1989, it is known that 300 Party goons dressed up as monks, to sow confusion and make chaos. There is now also photographic evidence of the CCP having used their own spies disguised as Tibetans to stage violent protests in an attempt to depict Tibetans in a negative light, as a way of justifying the violent crackdown. This does not come as a surprise to many China-watchers.

Rights defenders and activists
A humble group of people who may stand up for any of the above causes, or even such things as AIDS, environmental degradation, or corruption. They are invariably silenced, often jailed, and sometimes “disappear”. If they do not respond to personal threats, their families are targeted. Their “subversive” actions include collecting petitions, writing open letters, getting around the information blockade, or going too far with legal proceedings against the local Party chief. In a recent case the organizer of a campaign entitled “We want human rights, not Olympics” campaign, was thrown in jail, despite the petition gaining 10,000 votes.

Truth be told, these are only some of the more prominent and widely known ills of the current regime in China. The Chinese Communist Party’s entire history is one of violence, corruption, deceit and bloodshed.

So be aware and clear about what is happening. Find out in more depth what is going on, and tell many others. Submit an article to The WORD or another independent publication. Donate to groups who print t-shirts and flyers on these issues. Sign petitions, and more.

The Olympic Torch is coming through Canberra very soon, and people are free to participate in this exciting event. It’s a great opportunity to showcase our city to the world. The object of this editorial is not to encourage a boycott of either the games or the torch relay; that’s up to the heart of every individual. But, at least be aware of the great injustices that are going on behind the scenes.