Solar eclipse today
Sunday's 3rd anniversary of the attack on Iraq was marked with around 200 people protesting in Perth, a far cry from the 20,000 who took to the streets of Dullsville in early '03.
The speakers were sound, especially Anne Azza Aly and human rights lawyer Mark Cox, but none of them addressed the matter of the dramatically dwindling numbers.
National polling released last week indicates that 66% of Australians want the troops out either now or in the short-term future, but only 200 of them would march behind a banner saying 'troops out' in the streets of Perth.
Alexis Vassiley, who has been involved in the campaign since it started 3.5 years ago, told me that people had become “demoralised” and “pessimistic” about their chances of making an impact becuase the vast demonstartions held around the world in 2003 hadnt halted the invasion. He added that it was “still important” to make a stand.
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I understand Melbourne's rally was also small (though an improvement on ours). Any thoughts on why the movement has atrophied and why Howard will be PM for the next 20 years?