Support the Troops (and so on)

[Catherine Driscoll]

Today's Sydney demo very subdued, quiet. There was also a great deal of 
discomfort among some with the "support the troops even while you reject the 
war" line being pushed by organisers, and the speakers they prioritised. There 
was a clear split between groups concerned and happy about this, I think, 
though I'm not saying there weren't people in between. 

Politicians themselves mostly stayed away, although the Democrats and Greens 
were represented. Crean, has, of course, turned with the opinion polls. 
Apparently the troops should participate, now they're there and "fighting" has 
commenced. Pity he didn't think to tell the rest of the ALP that the position 
had changed. There are some very pissed members around.

Police are saying there were 30 000. I don't know, numbers were hard to judge 
as the march was fragmented, slow, dispersed, and many people avoided all or 
most of the rally itself. The "converge on parliament" event is tomorrow, but 
there's a defeatist air about the whole thing right now.

Catherine

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