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Reclaim The Streets 16, Sydney

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Reclaim The Streets was at Villawood this time to draw attention to the refugee issue that seems to have become submerged in the peace movement. Sites to look at: baxterwatch.net Refugee Action Coalition and the Sydney organisers for the Baxter convergence

As an RTS this one was smallish and sad rather than celebratory to a large extent. Celebrating outside a concentration camp is a bit hard. We got to see and hear some of the inmates, and they heard and saw us. Which is good. But it was pretty upsetting to see the razor wire and intense security out there.

Police numbers were high, and there was a bit of petty enforcement but no real aggro. Which is welcome. Now if we can just cut back on the bicycle helmet bullshit everyone will be happy.

A local punk band played - don't know the name sorry. We met up in the Villawood station car park. Early on the cops were pretty reasonable, and keen to avoid problems. So we got an escort up to the camp and lots of talking. Both sides coped pretty well. Ruddick seems to be pretty unpopular. The Pirate and his Bin-o-doof On the right is a line from the Australian National Anthem: "for those that come across the seas, we've boundless plains to share". On the left is Ruddock's modern interpretation of it. Jamal with his "Mein Refugee Kampf" sign and Roddock's head on the figure. The welcoming party that met us at the gates. Whatever a penalty unit is, you get 10 of them for crossing the barrier. We're watching them right on back. Aamer managed to get arrested. This is his version of the Baxter shirt (he did the design, I reinterpreted it for the shirts I'm printing. Right back by the Telstra phone box is where the refugees are kept. We're here, welcome to our street. Australia welcomes refugees. There's a quote I vaguely recall about an evil row of faceless men. I'm sure there was no colourful crepe paper in the original quote. Yep, Villawood alright. As we left the center. Marching back along the main highway. JJ being "asked" to move off the road as the cops decided to make a point. The "we're in charge" sort of point. Such is life. And our friendly Police presence.
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