Thousands of workers in Melbourne took to the streets for a peaceful protest in response to the Commonwealth’s takeover of the CFMEU (Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union). The protesters, many of whom were union members, marched through the city’s CBD carrying flags and wearing black hoodies with defiant messages. The atmosphere was charged with energy as drums sounded and chants of solidarity filled the air. Vik Sharma from the Rail, Tram, and Bus Union addressed the crowd, expressing their anger over the takeover and vowing to keep fighting until the union is returned to the workers.
The mood of the protest was one of determination and unity, with participants chanting slogans like “the workers united, we will never be defeated” and expressing their frustrations with the government by chanting expletives. The crowd was addressed by retired union official Christy Cain, who accused the federal government of betraying workers by taking control of what he described as the “greatest union in the country: the CFMEU”. He spoke passionately about fighting for the rights of workers and vowed that the fight would continue until the union was returned to its members. The crowd, clearly moved by his words, chanted in support of their absent leader, John Setka.
As the protesters made their way towards the government building, their determination was evident, with organizers urging them to stick together and show the world their solidarity. The protest was not just limited to CFMEU members, as other unions joined in to show their support. The message was clear: they were not going to stand idly by while the government made decisions that affected their rights and livelihoods. The crowd’s energy and passion were tangible as they marched through the streets, demanding to be heard and refusing to back down in the face of adversity.
The protest took on a historic significance, with Sharma declaring that this moment would be remembered in the pages of history. He emphasized the importance of fighting for what is right and just, stating that nothing had ever been given to them without a struggle. The crowd’s cheers and applause indicated their agreement with his sentiments and their commitment to continuing the fight. The protest was a show of strength and solidarity, as workers from various unions came together to make their voices heard and demand that their rights be respected.
The protesters were unwavering in their resolve, with Sharma declaring that the fight would not be over until the union was returned to the workers. The message was clear: they were prepared to keep fighting for their rights and would not give up until justice was served. The atmosphere at the protest was both defiant and united, with participants standing together in solidarity against what they saw as a betrayal of their rights. The protest may have been peaceful, but it was also a powerful statement of resistance and determination, as thousands of workers came together to demand that their voices be heard and their rights respected.
In conclusion, the Melbourne protest was a symbol of the unwavering spirit of workers standing up for their rights and demanding justice in the face of adversity. The protest was marked by solidarity, determination, and passion, as participants marched through the streets chanting slogans and expressing their anger over the Commonwealth’s takeover of the CFMEU. The crowd’s energy and unity were palpable, as they made their voices heard and vowed to continue the fight until their union was returned to them. The protest may have been peaceful, but it was also a powerful statement of resistance against what many saw as a betrayal of their rights.
