Walk the Walk. Talk the Talk.
I participated in the first rally of my life 3 days ago. Yes, a demonstration, a march through the city while waving red flags and shouting trance-like slogans.
It was like a mega street festival more than a demonstration, students from our school gathered at a lawn on campus before we set out. The lawn was decorated with streamers and posters, with student representatives moving the masses with anti-government speeches through loudspeakers.
It was a No-VSU demonstration: "VSU being Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) basically means is that students will have the choice about whether they pay their membership to the Students Association. The rhetoric behind this argument is based in some ideal of choice, where the Liberal Government argues that students should exercise their freedom of association and therefore should be able to have the right to choose whether they want to join the student organisation on campus." Upon the first glance it seems fair enough that the Liberal Party is proposing VSU: giving students choices seems like a student welfare-maximing proposition. However, Student Unions of University of Melbourne and other Unis in this state strongly oppose the passing of this bill, as it would mean that student organisations will be dramatically under-funded in providing services to students. And they argue that VSU will also erode the political representation of student unions.
Haha, amongst those who participated in the rally, there were of course many who were intently against VSU, but i believe some of us just joined because it looked so hyperly exciting. There was even a 'launching' of the march with someone pricking the balloon figures of John Howard and some other political figures that burst in thunderous cheers. Red flags were distributed and we set off in seething zeal. People were shouting " VSU, go away. we will fight u all the way!", some were blowing party whistles and waving the flags, the whole event was really festive,haha. When we marched onto the roads, police were already there making way for us, cars stopped to let us pass. Along the way, people waved at us and looked amused. Some guy tried to be funny by throwing an egg from an apartment at us though, which missed me by a hairline. Grrrz.. But nevertheless I was indeed surprised by how demonstrations are being tolerated in this country. Organised rallies are treated with respect and given media coverage.
When we reached the State Library where students from all universities congregate before marching on, a troop of police on horses were on already on standby and the main road being partially cordoned off. A representative from the goverment was there to placate the crowd by giving the side of the story from the government, only to be boo-ed viciously by the crowd. It was thrilling to hear a generous outpour of vulgarities such as "FUCK U Labor Party !" , some people just shouted for the heck-of-it but some really got very worked up . Sentiments were high and slogan-chanting picked up intensity. I felt a little uncomfortable just standing there amidst these people like a statue without doing anything. I din't feel like chanting because I do not feel strongly about it, but by not assimilating into the crowd makes me feel like a sore thumb sticking out. So i left , before the second leg of the march.
After leaving the massive crowd, i heaved a sigh of relief and feel my heart filled with fresh air. It was indeed an eye-opener but i only fight for a cause which i truly believe in. Other than that, please pardon me for being an apathetic onlooker.