Thousands of Australians took to the streets over the weekend for ‘March in March’, a series of protests across the country, against a number of Federal Government policies.
Asylum seekers. Gay marriage. Climate change. Education reform. Logging. The National broadband Network. Media ownership. The people who took to the streets were not united by any one single issue – except that they were united by their frustration with the current government’s overall policy approach.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott was asked about the protests taking place in Australia’s capital cities today, but replied that, “My understanding is that the only big rally in Sydney is the St Patrick’s Day parade. That is the big event in Sydney today. I wish all of them well. If their parade is rained on, there is always some Guinness available around the city.”
The Labor Party has distanced itself from the rally, with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten telling reporters, “But I do get that people want to express their views. It’s a free country,” he said. On Monday, the protesters plan to visit Parliament House in Canberra and deliver a motion of no confidence.
These are some of the (rather brilliant) signs and placards spotted at the March in March protests.
Top Comments
I marched in Sydney and didn't see one remotely abusive sign. I saw plenty of clever, heartfelt and passionately written signs. Over 100,000 decent citizens marched over the weekend, and when the Right Wing press realises they couldn't just ignore us, tries to focus on the few idiot signs, which you'll get in any group that large. For shame on our media, and congratulations Mamamia for having the courage to report where not too many else have. For the record, there are many of us of all political persuasions who protested, including former Coalition voters. The Howard Years were sad and saw the start of a nasty Australia. But Abbott's government is sucking the soul out of the community and turning otherwise decent people into uncaring racists; the comments from die-hard AbbottLovers below show this more than anything. For those who say Abbott has a mandate, just remember that Hitler had a mandate too and what he did was "legal". Doesn't mean it was just.
Missed out some good ones though in the photos. 'I'm so angry I have a sign' and 'Stop the Goats' were witty. 'Fuck Tony, Fuck Democracy' I guess shows what they think of the ludicrous proposition that it's the majority who should decide the Government and the picture of Abbott as Hitler speaks for itself - and I'm sure Mamamia will be right on top of that one as they were with the Julia/Witch motif some time this year or at least this decade. I doubt it will damage Abbott's re-election prospects, in fact it's probably good for another couple of seats which is why Shorten has come out against it.