Socialist Workers mayoral candidate Connie Allen spoke about the importance of working people in this country supporting the Timorese workers and peasants in their struggle. "The people of East Timor are our fellow fighters and have continually shown their ability to combat first the Portuguese then the Indonesian colonial occupation of their nation. Only the workers and peasants themselves can call the Indonesian rulers to account — as they have proven capable of doing many times. The best aid we can give the Timorese is to direct our fire against our own government's involvement."

The picketers talked to people passing by about the true role of imperialist intervention under the guise of "humanitarianism" and discussed how the Timorese workers and farmers themselves are the targets of the imperialist aggression.

J. P. Crysdale spoke for the Young Socialists, pointing to the hypocrisy of the U.S. claim that they are defending the independence of East Timor. "If the U.S. wants to oppose colonialism, they can start with the nation of Puerto Rico which they have occupied for 101 years."

The demand of "U.S. and Australian troops out of East Timor!" incurred hostility from two members of the East Timor Action Network (ETAN) who came by the picket line. They voiced their support for UN intervention and calling on people to write their political representatives requesting more aid to East Timor.

Demonstrations initiated by the ETAN have called for UN intervention and supporting sanctions against the Indonesian government.  
 
 
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