Sydney Spy Classic
August 10 Anti-VSU Rally
Everyone,
It appeared there were less people attending than at the last rally despite the presence of sausages. There was live entertainment in the form of some guy singing political songs to get everybody in the mood. I remember some lyric about "saying sorry" and a "bigger quarry". Naturally, the campus police were keen to show their distaste for VSU by attending the rally as well. Lone police were scattered all over campus looking extremely bored. As with most major events that happen at Sydney Uni, the front of Fisher library became a barricade of zealous zealots eager to spiel.
After the music, Union representatives started talking about student rights. The Union president is an extremely passionate public speaker who must strike fear in the hearts of Liberals. She had some chant that she got everyone to repeat, it was something like "VSU! NO WAY! NO WAY!".. I forget. I think it could have been punchier like "VSU, No Thank You, I'd Ra-ther Watch SVU". There were cameras filming the speeches and a Channel 7 van was in the parking lot so it obviously got some decent coverage. After the talking everyone went walking off to Town Hall and obviously got tired upon arrival so they all sat down outside. 
Mostly the rally was peaceful and may have even accomplished something but something I certainly wasn't pleased to read were accounts of violence. Fair enough if you're enthusiastic about something but throwing things at people makes your argument seem juvenile especially after some of those Union speeches had some decent points. Trying to garner publicity is one thing but negative publicity will only harm your cause since you want a broad amount of the public on your side. I'm sure it was a tiny percentage acting abusively, throwing paint and such, but what did they really think it would accomplish?
