anzac day

NEWS

SYDNEY: An Anzac Day march honouring the memory of women raped in war resulted in the violent arrest of 168 women by the Police Tactical Response Group and Special Branch in Sydney. Most of those arrested were later charged with "serious alarm and affront".

Prior to the march the organisers of the women's contingent the Sydney Women Against Rape Collective made it clear that their aim was "to mourn". not to "disrupt" the official Anzac Day parade.

In a statement issued on behalf of the collective Ms Rosemary Pringle said, "Women Against Rape have repeatedly stressed that our concern is with nonviolent action.

"Anzac Day is supposed to be a national day of mourning for those who died in war. Why is it that those countless women raped in war are not remembered or mourned? It is time the meaning of Anzac Day was transformed, to dwell less on celebrating the victors and more on the horrors of war and militarism. Far from disrupting those who come to mourn relatives and friends, Women Against Rape seek to reclaim for Anzac Day the only meaning it ought to have, as preIcisely a day of mourning."

In a similar action in Melbourne, 200 women marched to the Anzac Day Shrine. Police refused to let the group near the shrine and confiscated their banners after they continued marching.

Nine of the Women Against Rape Group were arrested and seven were later charged with obstructing the police and with assault. After the arrests had been made, about 100 women demonstrated outside Russell Street Police headquarters until bail had been raised.

In Canberra, women marched with no arrests.

UF

IN MEMORY F

COUNTRIES

OF ALL ALL WOMEN RAPED IN ALL WARS

10 CAMPAIGN MAY 1983

Photo: Tribune

IN MEMORY OF ALL WOMEN RAPED IN ALL WAIS

Photo: Tribune