Fill the "G" - Rally and March : Melbourne Indymedia

In fact the numbers both in the ground and on the march proper were a bit misleading - not everyone who came to the MCG actually went inside, and it appeared many who did go in either did not know there was to be a formal march to Federation Square, or else did not feel able to wait for it. Certainly there were enough people hanging around outside the ground during the speeches to have filled quite a few of the empty seats - though of course nowhere near all - and around 10 o'clock so many people were streaming from the exits that it seemed the planned march and rally at the Square must have been cancelled. Even so, there were enough left to make what would in another context have been reckoned a very respectable turnout.

From my vantage points it seemed that the composition of the march was a bit different from previous rallies against Work Choices in that construction and other blue-collar workers, although solidly represented, were not so prominent as in the past, with the centre of gravity shifted more towards the health and welfare sectors, including a very strong representation of nurses, and above all, education. Probably no previous protest in this series has seen so many schools and educational establishments on the streets with their banners.

Apart from the big-name speakers and stage acts, the centrepiece of the action inside the ground was the removal of an overlay to the huge "Your Rights at Work - Worth Fighting For" banner on the turf so that the wording became " - Worth Voting For", but the full effect of this was most likely only clear from the air. Otherwise, for many the highpoint was probably the speech from "HM the Queen" (Gerry Connelly), though Jimmy Barnes' contribution was obviosly popular with many. The march ended with further speeches and entertainment at Federation Square, but I only caught the very last dying moments.
(Photos from a videocam ...)

Heavily compressed, but may give some of the atmosphere.
1min.31

Yeah, yeah, right. For fucken sure.

Bring on Bomber Beasley, or the Righteous Rudd.

Bring back the accord for all these bloody fools.

Don't they even remember a little? For instance can't they recall the once often heard workplace lament "Bob Hawke: best Liberal party Prime Minister ever"? Said with a wry, sad smile. Not really joking.

But it will be different if there is ever a next time, won't it? Yeah, bloody fools, you bet you can trust the Unions, the bosses, and the bloody AL(iberal)P.

Suckers.

And aint there laws about inhumane treatment of dogs? Talk about an unhappy lookin mutt, eh.

Poor bloody thing probably knows - here we go again. The "national interest" pack attack on the cowed herd.

The faces of all people distinctly displayed in the above and related photos have been recorded on the Australian Industry Identity Database using the most advanced classified biometric recognition software. Your cooperation is appreciated. Thankyou.

Please encourage others to march and attend future rallies.

Lets get Peter Garret next time hey?

I mean how can sleep while are jobs are burning?

Common, we can do better than that after all it's just the show!

What about the stadium? Great place to hide the protest from the general public and scabs that were still working.

Not to mention undermining the possible influence the city crowd may have had on those still not convinced they should strike!