Left to Right: Jessie Lee Peacock, Kathy Mackenzie, Shaymaa Abdullah (indigenous activist and public speaker), Eva Cox, Dulcie Munoz
Today (Friday) Sydney hosted the launch of March in March Australia, a progressive community call for more accountable and transparent government.
Sydney is one of eight locations for March in March this Saturday 25 March 2017.
The nationwide rallies are a grassroots expression of concern over general federal political trends, including: corruption and rorts, austerity cuts, invasion of privacy, racist refugee policies, ecocide, loss of vital services, privatisation, undermining of working conditions and pay. People are Standing Up to call for accountability, truth and change.
The rallies are also a public expression of preference for positive and progressive policies, such as: higher taxation for large corporations, environmental protection, renewable energy measures, a basic income to replace welfare income management, banking reform, multicultural inclusion, respect for diversity, full funding for a healthy Medicare and public education (through Gonski), maintaining frontline services, concern for the future of our independent national broadcasters and scientific development.
March Australia is independent and volunteer run.
Rallies tomorrow are all community-led, self funded, independent and not sponsored by any organisation. Each reflects the concerns of the region. The rallies are loosely held together by the desire for more transparent, efficient and honest government.
At today’s launch, well known feminist, economist and social equity advocate, Eva Cox spoke at the launch (at Central in Sydney today) about how marching is not an end in itself. It is part of a process of strategically and thoughtfully creating a better political system. Ideas and empowerment are better than being overwhelmed. Turning out to a rally is only the beginning. We have to look for ways to bring forth real structural change.
“If you feel like you are banging your head against a brick wall, pause to look for the loose bricks”, said Ms Cox*.
She added that structural shifts should not be confused with changes in personnel.
JessieLee Peacock, Sydney March organiser, added that the current Federal and State NSW Government were in deeper trouble than perhaps they realised. “When Western Sydney starts to organise, you know things are bad”.
Other speakers at the launch covered refugee, environmental, single parent and health concerns.
Information about the rallies follows. Each rally has a Facebook page and particular highlights.
For other details, visit the March Australia Activist Interchange:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maainterchange/?rc=
Speakers at the Launch today were:
Eva Cox (feminist economist & social justice advocate)
Shaymaa Abdullah (indigenous activist, midwifery student and public speaker)
Melinda Wilson (No Incinerator for Western Sydney)
Dulce Munoz (Mums4Refugees)
Jessie Lee Peacock (Say No to Cashless Welfare)
Kathy Mackenzie (for Knitting Nannas against CSG).
Jane Salmon
