Democracy for Thailand

Democracy for Thailand

6.30pm, Thurs 27 May 2010
Perth Activist Centre, 15 / 5 Aberdeen St, East Perth
(next to McIver station)
Ph 9218 9608, 0413 976 638

This meeting will feature a talk and discussion about the struggle for democracy in Thailand and the solidarity measures we can take in Australia today. Discussion will be led by Socialist Alliance member Rob McKenzie.

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PICKET OF THE THAI CONSULATE,
14 VICTORIA AVE, PERTH, FRIDAY MAY 28TH, 5.00PM
DEMAND JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY FOR THE THAI PEOPLE

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO ANYONE CONCERNED ABOUT THE STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY IN THAILAND, AND TO SUPPORTIVE MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL THAI COMMUNITY

To all Perth citizens in solidarity with the struggle for democracy in Thailand

As you all know, in recent weeks the military-appointed dictatorship of Abhisit Vejjajiva has slaughtered some 80 Thai civilians in its efforts to cling to power. 

Last Wednesday, under orders from the dictatorship, the Thai military assaulted the red shirt protest encampment in the centre of Bangkok, in the process murdering another 15 civilians and taking into custody many of the key leaders of the democracy movement.  The New York-based Human Rights Watch has raised grave concerns about the safety and well-being of those leaders.  Currently some 114 red shirt activists are being held in custody, their location unknown, their treatment unknown.

The pro-democracy red shirt movement - which has fought so heroically these last few months in its campaign to dissolve parliament and force new elections - has the overwhelming support of the rural poor and the urban working class, who for so long have been deprived of the most basic necessities of life. 

ORDINARY PEOPLE ARE DYING ON THE STREETS OF BANGKOK SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE STOOD UP AND VOICED A BASIC DEMAND, NAMELY THAT THE PARLIAMENT BE DISSOLVED AND FRESH ELECTIONS BE CALLED.  PRIME MINISTER VEJJAJIVA HAS REFUSED EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO GIVE IN TO THIS BASIC DEMAND BECAUSE HE KNOWS HIS MILITARY-BACKED GOVERNMENT LACKS ALL LEGITIMACY AND THAT HE WOULD BE RESOUNDINGLY DEFEATED WERE A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION TO BE HELD.

An Australian citizen, Conor Purcell, who has been living in Bangkok for several months and been part of the pro-democracy movement, was arrested this morning.  He has already been convicted of overstaying his visa and is to be charged under the emergency decree imposed by the Vejjajiva dictatorship in April.  Under this decree, Purcell potentially faces a two-year jail sentence.

IF YOU ARE A SUPPORTER OF DEMOCRACY IN THAILAND, IF YOU ARE APPALLED BY THE MURDER OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS BY A MILITARY DICTATORSHIP, IF YOU ARE OUTRAGED AT THE ARREST AND DETENTION OF AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN WHO IS GUILTY OF NOTHING MORE THAN LENDING HIS SUPPORT TO A DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT, THEN PLEASE JOIN THE PICKET OF THE THAI CONSULATE THIS FRIDAY AT 5.00PM.  BRING YOUR VOICE, YOUR PASSION, PLACARDS, BANNERS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY.