Industrial Workers of the World

SHAC has been peacefully occupying four formerly vacantterrace houses owned by the Universityof Melbourne sinceAugust. This may end soon, now that a warrant has been issued, at the behest ofthe University, for their eviction. As every good corporate journalist knows,only protesters resort to ‘violence’. Authorities never do so intentionally andif the police are ever found to engage in violence it is never reported as such:Euphemisms such as ‘undisciplined behaviour’ or 'cracking down' are frequently deployed. Moreover,whilst the use of force is always legitimate – though sometimes regrettable ­– whenundertaken by authorities, it is never defensible if undertaken by protestersin their attempts to resist violence. Indeed, corporate journalists oftenportray peaceful attempts to resist violence and actual suffering at the handsof official violence as ‘violence’.

Violence was far from the first topic to come to my mindafter spending an afternoon at the SHAC rally yesterday. But for Herald-Sun reporter,Matthew Schulz and National Union of Students spokesperson, David Barrow, wherethere is direct action, we must always be on guard against protester-inflictedviolence. To be fair to David, I don’t know what questions were put to him butdid he really have to give this answer: ‘Students across the country say they are behind the SHAC protest but won'tsupport any violent resistance to being evicted"?

We all know whatto expect from the Herald-Sun, but such preoccupation with alleged potential oractual ‘violence’ of protesters is an issue which is worth facing as the Universitymoves into eviction-mode. Two years ago in Melbourne, much of the left out-Herald-Sunnedthe Herald-Sun with their denunciations of alleged violence from protesters atG20 regardless of the lack of clear evidence for what exactly happened in whatcircumstances and who was responsible. Some made the obvious comment: thatviolence committed as a result of G20’s policies of American hegemony andNeo-Liberalism and the decision to turn much of the Melbourne CBD into apara-military exclusion zone should have been the primary concerns. But thesepeople were the exception. Even now, several of the alleged perpetrators ofriots at G20 have pleaded not guilty in relation to the two incidents inquestion and are yet to go to trial. It is only then that claims will beproperly tested and circumstances such as possible actions taken by policewhich may have led to the two incidents at the protests will become known. Itis partly because of this issue of preoccupation with protester violence that Iresponded to Shulz’s article with an online comment today. Here it is.

‘Regarding violence: It is interesting that the NationalUnion of Students rep is quoted for his disapproval of 'violent action' (seevideo accompanying article). 'Violent'in this context means 'using or involving physical force with the intention ofcausing injury or destruction'. (Collins Dictionary) I don't know how thestudents and their supporters might be construed as planning any such action.They are planning to resist arrest by setting up a picket line outside, whichwill link arms to prevent it from being broken - 'destroyed'. Others plan tobarricade themselves inside to prevent police from removing them. In thissituation, Police may well use violence to destroy both the picket line and theoccupation. Batons and other weapons may possibly be used to deliberatelyinflict injury if this is judged to be necessary to evict the occupants.

‘It would have been more appropriate to include a commentfrom the University regarding its attitude to violence. It is they who haveeffectively authorised the use of force. The eviction warrant that they havesought potentially gives the police the green-light to use violence against thehomeless students and their supporters.

‘I know that many staff and students at Melbourne Unisupport the occupying students. People around Melbourne who are increasinglyfinding it difficult to make ends meet might also want to support them as theycourageously try to resist the relentless dominance of 'free market' publicpolicies. If the financial crisis gets worse, many people may face eviction,not only squatters. Resistance to eviction may be one way to turn the tide infavour of the poor and working people, as it was during the great depression.’

SHAC's tireless work over the last year or so culminated in the inspirational occupation of Faraday St buildings. It is apity that the University of Melbourne did not follow the lead of Sydney Universitywhich had previously supported students in similar circumstances by helpingthem to establish a housing co-operative. I hope that the occupation does notend in violence and that no-one gets hurt. But if this does happen, I would also hope that there is comradely and thoughtful commentary from all who claim tosupport SHAC and justice for the homeless.

see latest video: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=N-ctQdLGiqw