Pro-choice demonstrators attacked

indonesia / philippines / australia | gender | news report Monday September 26, 2005 13:53 by Jodie Clark

Pro-choice demonstrators attacked in Melbourne

Written by Jodie Clark for Melbourne Indymedia email: pooroldjefflee@yahoo.com.au

On September 24 in Melbourne, 3 activists defending a fertility control clinic from right-to-life were violently attacked by Right to Life sypathisers. On the 24th of September, The Campaign for Womens Reproductive Rights (CWRR), held its second clinic defense at East Melbourne. Every day, right to lifers mobilise at this clinic and harass women attempting to enter, with posters, abuse, and religious dogma.

Last month the CWRR successfully created a secure passage for women and passers by, and the right to lifers retreated to the other side of the road. The Saturday 23 September was similar, until the point where two Right to Life sypathisers passed by the defenders screaming abuse, and then doubled back and started to try and attack the rally. Three clinic defenders were injured in the attack and the right to life supporters were arrested and have been charged with assault.

Now is the time to support the CWRR in their clinic defenses more than ever; we need people to stand strong and let these bigots know they are not welcome. The Democrats advocate bubble legislation as a means to prevent this harassment of women, but it is only our continued defense that can stop this harassment. If these people are prepared to break the law and assault people, then they will be prepared to break the law and cross bubble legislation boundaries - where us, the defenders will be open to arrest if we then attempt to defend women in that area.

Bubble legislation is a protection of property, not women, and has every chance in Howards anti-union state of being carried over to industrial disputes and being used against the working class. CWRR needs your support in making the message loud and clear to the right to lifers: we will not let your thuggish violence intimidate us, we will be back, stronger than ever to defend the women and this clinic.

To find out more about CWRR, and the next clinic defense, please get in touch.