(no subject)

[rhyll]

There will be a protest against what's happening in Lebanon this Saturday, at 11am outside Wesley church in Perth.

Comments

[boxer-the-horse.livejournal.com]

Its good to see something happening. But I wonder what will it be protesting? Will it be the actions of Hizbollah as well as Israel? You wonder about these things because of their potential to get taken in a different direction. I'd be happy to turn up to tell everyone to stop being idiots, but not to somehow tacitly endorse Hizbollah or to demand the destruction of Israel. Its completely obvious to say it, but the situation in the middle-east is pretty bloody complicated.

[alexmoon.livejournal.com]

I agree. Knowing the crowd that usually protests in that place, though, I think there's a fairly good chance that protestors will be against violence from both sides.

Maybe I'll make myself a placard or something, to make it clear?

[boxer-the-horse.livejournal.com]

Hehehehehehe! 'Against Violent Stupidity' or 'Everyone: stop being jerks, you jerks!'

[bondles.livejournal.com]

See, I saw the posters for this protest, and that's what I thought of. I don't want to be a wet blanket, Sky, but really, why? I'm all for demonstration, but I think it might be just a bit optimistic to think that a protest in lil' ol' Perth will have any effect. And given that the person on the street already wishes people would all just stop shooting at each other, it's not really going to raise awareness. Is there an Australian government action or inaction that you're protesting? I don't understand.

[boxer-the-horse.livejournal.com]

One mind changed is a one more mind on (what I would argue) is the right side, so none of those protests are entirely futile. Also, some people are sad or angry about things and wanna protest but don't live in New York?

[alexmoon.livejournal.com]

Well, part of it is to just put up my hand and say, "I don't condone this". Because I think that for many Lebanese (and others) in Perth to see what's happening and see the total silence coming from people around them must make them feel like noone gives a shit when people die, if those people aren't white and christian and from the developed world etc etc.

I'm also protesting the fact that the Australian government has pretty much said that Lebanon...and Lebanese civilians...brought this on themselves.

I don't want to be one of the ones that stood back and said "none of this is my responsibility, and I can't do anything" while people die "in the name of freedom" or "defend democracy" or some other bullshit like that.

And as Jarrad said - one mind changed makes a difference.

[bondles.livejournal.com]

But are minds really changing? Does anyone think that what's going on over there is not deplorable? As for the Lebanese bringing it upon themselves, that's a bit of an overstatement. And "the Lebanese civilians brought this on themselves"? You know they're not saying that. Hezbollah perhaps brought it on the civilians, but not even the Howard government is saying the civilians deserve it.

But I'm still unclear as to what the protesters want. I guess that's part of the reason I don't understand the protest. I mean, the Israeli violence against Lebanon is bad, but so is the fact that Hezbollah kidnapped Israelis and deliberately put their facilities in the middle of civilian areas, where it's win-win for them; either Israel doesn't attack, or they attack and kill civilians and get the media outcry. Neither side can be supported, but at the same time, asking them both to settle down and stop shooting at each other won't work either, because one is sworn to destroy the other, and the other has to let the one know that it doesn't intend to be destroyed.

It's this kind of negative outlook, I suppose, that causes the silence. I just don't see any solution.

[alexmoon.livejournal.com]

I think a lot of people don't think that what's going on over there is deplorable. I think a lot of Australians of Middle Eastern descent, or Islamic Australians, probably get the feeling that white Australians either condone the attacks on Lebanon or don't care. Hey, I get that feeling. In the current climate, I don't think that just assuming most Australians are against this is all that safe. And I don't think that sitting by quietly and not voicing our opposition means that others will assume we are against it, either.

As for what protestors want: I guess it depends on the protestor. Some people probably have some hope that if there's enough action, the government will actually take notice. Other people probably just want to show they're against the violence, that they actually have paid attention and do care. Others might hope that they can give some support to Lebanese or Israeli civilians (hopefully both) who are caught up in all of the horror, and want peace. Others might want to show groups within Perth (for example, the Lebanese community) that they're not just going to stand back silently while this happens.

You know the best way of knowing what protestors want? Decide what you want, and make yourself a placard or something, and actually come along and make your feelings heard. "The protestors" are not some homogenous group who have a preprogrammed agenda - if you think they're going about it the wrong way, why not actually make some kind of positive contribution?

[boofuls.livejournal.com]

HAHA, have your own protest, protesting jerkdom. LOVE IT.