AUSTRALIA: Over 400,000 people took part in marches for peace across Australia yesterday. There were major protests against war in Iraq in Adelaide, Brisbane and Darwin, but by far the largest turnout was the estimated 250,000 people who attended the Sydney rally.
Supt Phil Rogerson of the Sydney Police force said it was the biggest march since the Vietnam era. Organisers of the protest said it was the biggest protest ever seen in Australia.
Addressing the rally, New South Wales Labour Council secretary Mr John Robertson condemned the so-called "coalition of the willing" put together by US President George Bush.
"It's willing to plunge the world into war, it's willing to ignore the UN, it's willing to kill innocent men, women and children in Iraq, and it's willing to play the politics of propaganda and confusion and we will not accept that sort of coalition of the willing," he said.
Speaking on Channel 7 last night, Australian Prime Minister Mr John Howard denied that Australian forces have already been committed to take part in any upcoming action on Iraq.
"Until I know the final international conditions on which Australian troops might be involved, I'm not going to take that final decision, I'm not required to and I shouldn't," he said.
One marcher, Mr David Browne, told The Irish Times yesterday that though the sheer numbers attending meant he was too far back to hear the speakers, he was glad he attended.
"This is the first time I've ever been to a rally. There are so many people here who are not normally activists. I mean, my Dad is here, and was adamant about coming," said Mr Browne.
"This is sending a message to Howard. This is deep in the heart of his constituency. He worked very hard to get the over-50s vote and look at the amount of over-50s here today. This is very bad for him."
An Australian actor whose name is also John Howard addressed the massive crowd at Hyde Park in Sydney's city centre and said the protest was sending a strong message to his political namesake.
He said the rally was about demanding that the Howard government give up threats of war.
"There is no beginning and no end to this march. Every single one of us is a reminder to our prime minister that he is our representative," Mr Howard said.