(no subject)

[rhyll]

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

Comments

[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?