Maria Voukelatos reports that, after a few months of pioneering work in their local area – organising speak-outs and regular campaigning stalls - members in Brisbane’s inner western suburbs decided to bite the bullet and call a meeting to re-form a Brisbane West branch of the Alliance. A local branch had been established in the area when the Alliance was first launched, but has been folded into the central Brisbane branch for the last couple of years. Now, says Maria, there are more than enough opportunities to get organised locally again.
The first Brisbane West branch conference on July 17 kicked off with some general discussion about what the Alliance is and does, followed by a film screening. Five activists new to the Alliance came along to check it out, including two from Greenpeace who hope to build an ongoing working relationship and some joint projects with Socialist Alliance.
The new branch is having fortnightly meetings at Toowong Library, and holding four public information and campaigning stalls each week. Amongst it’s immediate aims are to regularise letterboxing and paste-ups in the area.
Maria reports that one of the best developments so far is that, because SA members have been doing so many local stalls, these are becoming the regular contact point for anyone who wants some political discussion. A lot of people, particularly young people, have begun to approach us often to talk about what’s going on in the world and what to do about it, and about socialism - their visions, questions, concerns and ideas.
The branch is now planning a networking and fundraising BBQ and banner painting.
Auburn branch in Sydney’s western suburbs, is the Alliance’s newest branch. Branch member Luke Weyland reports that it covers the large population area of Strathfield to Granville (bordered by Marrickville, Bankstown and Parramatta SA branches).
This area includes many suburbs with a high proportion of non-English speaking background residents, especially Turkish, Arabic, Afghan, north African and Chinese backgrounds. Many locals are recently arrived refugees.
Luke says that the issues of particular concern to the Auburn SA branch include refugee rights, opposing racism and racist stereotyping, opposing the war on Iraq, support for the Palestinian people, and opposition to the state government’s proposal to make Auburn’s waste transfer station cater for the whole of Sydney. Branch members include activists in refugee rights forums, the Auburn Community Peace Group and a Turkish-language newspaper.
Over the last two years, hundreds of locals have participated in successful Socialist Alliance-initiated rallies and public meetings in Auburn, then organised by the Parramatta SA branch (Auburn’s “parent” branch). As a result, a lot of people in the area know about and are in regular contact with Alliance members. With a local branch, says Luke, we are hoping that more will now join SA.
For more information about the Auburn branch, click here to contact auburn@socialist-alliance.org or phone Luke on (02) 9642 6973.
For more information about Brisbane West branch, click here contact briswest@socialist-alliance.org or phone Maria on (07) 3831 2644.