Getting back our Church Street March

[Ian]

Where it stands is basically we can put in for the Church Street march but the police will contest it and if we lose (cops will no doubt pull up hundreds of nothing incidents to prove we are hooligans) then that option is gone probably forever.

The police are divided, some are big WSW fans, some refuse to assist marshals in anyway, and a few are sending information to talk back radio programs.

 

The situation is difficult but I think a few things are undisputable:
- Police are responsible for Public Safety
- Western Sydney locals should be allowed to use public space in Western Sydney

[westofcentre]

Ian - who in the police force makes the final call? Is it yje commisioner? Or local Parra Commander?

[Ian]

Parra Commander has to ok things with his superior the regional commander

[westofcentre]

Media, politicians, a petition from local cafes on Church Street supporting the march and lobbying politicians - A 4 pronged attack.

 

A banner to lead the March "Fight for Church Street"

Edited August 10, 2013 by westofcentre

[RedBB]

 

lets keep spreading the word, so many memories, with more noise in the social media and local businesses the more the our voice will be heard.

https://www.facebook.com/BBWSWCSM

We get 100 guys and march regardless - doesn't need to be from the pub, just cafe's, restaurants around the top of Church.

 

Also can anyone update what is happening with the second pub? Is it a done deal and if so has a march route been mapped out?

I think we should do this

[srsen]

Ian's right, police are responible for public safety. HOw can they possibley guarentee public safety on Church st with the march anymore? I mean honestly, when a d*ckhead smokies Oporto's with kids in there......... it only takes 0.01% of people marching to f*ck up and its all done.

Maybe a season of Marsden st marchs, WITH ZERO INCIDENTS, then use that full incident-free season as evidence that we can have a march back? Just my 2 cents

Edited August 10, 2013 by srsen

[redandblack]

Where it stands is basically we can put in for the Church Street march but the police will contest it and if we lose (cops will no doubt pull up hundreds of nothing incidents to prove we are hooligans) then that option is gone probably forever.

 

The police are divided, some are big WSW fans, some refuse to assist marshals in anyway, and a few are sending information to talk back radio programs.

 

The situation is difficult but I think a few things are undisputable:

- Police are responsible for Public Safety

- Western Sydney locals should be allowed to use public space in Western Sydney

This is exactly the point of my earlier post.

 

I believe you guys that sort this stuff out, week after week are doing a great job.

 

To some extent I don't even blame the police.

 

I will, however, say what you probably can't.

 

Our rights to be passionate about what we love has been trumped by political agendas.

Tbh, I don't even expect a response. You don't need to justify why your negotiations have resulted the way they have. Nor should you need to defend them.

 

But, I do want to remind people that Scipione was put on the spot by a certain overspoken bigot. He was never going to respond with a comment such as "I think you're making a big deal out of this and in reality everyone was safe".

 

I understand us being moved to reduce a risk and ultimately make it easier for the police to "manage" a crowd of this extent.

 

What I don't appreciate is the treatment we are accomodated with. For me it's more than Church street.

 

For me it's why we need a police escort of the extent we see; why we need a police helicopter watching; why "enough is enough" (to quote commisioner Scipione) when it comes to real football but the flaws of league are swept under a rug; and the list goes on.

 

It is not a new problem. Why hasn't society adapted? We see this because the authoroties don't understand, are out of touch, are not properly trained, or possibly just don't care.

[srsen]

It is not a new problem. Why hasn't society adapted? We see this because the authoroties don't understand, are out of touch, are not properly trained, or possibly just don't care.

 

I think its a matter of education for the police. They need further training and understanding so they can tackle it with the right approach/attitude ... IMO

 

But im not there when these discussions go on with them so i really dont know sh*t. At least we still get to march at all!

Edited August 10, 2013 by srsen

[redandblack]

 

 

It is not a new problem. Why hasn't society adapted? We see this because the authoroties don't understand, are out of touch, are not properly trained, or possibly just don't care.

 

I think its a matter of education for the police. They need further training and understanding so they can tackle it with the right approach/attitude ... IMO

 

But im not there when these discussions go on with them so i really dont know sh*t. At least we still get to march at all!

I agree 100% regarding still being thankful with a march.

 

These guys that organise everything have huge respect from me.

 

I just want to highlight the reality of the politics. Don't you think this "training" should've and could've happened by now?

[Tranquilo]

getting local business behind our cause is the biggest key. Business along with Parramatta council will make bigger impact in the larger scale than a bunch of "sokkah" fans as the media label us, keen on rioting and demanding justice. We need to show them what the fans bring into the economy the impact the march has financially all the extra people that visit Church st just to see what all the fuss is about and to watch the wsw fans march to the stadium. Once we have bigger fish such as Parra council, local businesses, hell even Les Murray on our side then the scales begin to slide more in our favour. 

[redandblack]

They know what we bring. They know that one thing we do differently from the blue and gold sorry excuses for fans of the egg ball game is come from other many different areas that make up the western sydney region.

 

This is a huge deal for the city of parramatta, and why it's so important for them to get the upgrade to parra stadium and keep us in parra.

 

We deserve more respect.

[westofcentre]

Ian's right, police are responible for public safety. HOw can they possibley guarentee public safety on Church st with the march anymore? I mean honestly, when a d*ckhead smokies Oporto's with kids in there......... it only takes 0.01% of people marching to f*ck up and its all done.

Maybe a season of Marsden st marchs, WITH ZERO INCIDENTS, then use that full incident-free season as evidence that we can have a march back? Just my 2 cents

Ian's right, police are responible for public safety. HOw can they possibley guarentee public safety on Church st with the march anymore? I mean honestly, when a d*ckhead smokies Oporto's with kids in there......... it only takes 0.01% of people marching to f*ck up and its all done.

Maybe a season of Marsden st marchs, WITH ZERO INCIDENTS, then use that full incident-free season as evidence that we can have a march back? Just my 2 cents

This is the problem brother. This IS NNOT about the one stooge who threw the glass.

 

This is about the bigoted media and people with agendas derailing our march.

 

Any gathering of people - sports, pubs whatever there are some incidence of violence especially when alcohol is involved.

 

The chances of us marching down Marsden incident free for an entire season are virtually zero.

 

we are defeated before we even begin. And at any rate we are only addressing the "veneer", the fallacy to this issue.

 

 

We are not addressing the true discriminatory reasons. We are not fighting on our terms the battle that needs fighting.

[westofcentre]

Ps - we could do a protest banner for next trial match in Sydney to be displayed prematch accompanied by a chant. Get the message out to all in the stadium.

 

This will need support of core RBB to get of the ground though.

[Hughesy]

The cold hard reality is that things would be so much easier if flares/smokies disappeared. It is the biggest thing that drives a wedge between us and the various authorities and has a flow on effect that makes negotiating situations just like this, twice as hard. 

[RedBB]

Not to make them dissapear but to use them in the right places, -flares and smokies are completely harmless at the games BUT i agree it sjould not be used around the public outside the stadium and i am sure just a quick briefing at woolpack or more cooperation with the police regarding spotting those that light flares at the march because really ripping flares at the game is a tradition in football that harms absulately NO ONE! I think getting our march back is not out of question we just need to say the right things.

[westofcentre]

This ia qwhy for security reasons the march needs to go down the centre of Church. Less chance of idiots ripping a flare just outside a cafe

[Drone]

Not to make them dissapear but to use them in the right places, -flares and smokies are completely harmless at the games BUT i agree it sjould not be used around the public outside the stadium and i am sure just a quick briefing at woolpack or more cooperation with the police regarding spotting those that light flares at the march because really ripping flares at the game is a tradition in football that harms absulately NO ONE! I think getting our march back is not out of question we just need to say the right things.

 

Imagine the mainstream media's perception if that ever happened; "Wanderers leave trail of terror in the middle of Parramatta", or "Wanderers fans terrorize innocent civilians". We've all seen how they overhyped the incident that happened on derby day, and because a lot of sheeple believed what the newsreader is told to say, they instantly got a bad perception on our club. Leave the smokes and flares at the games. No smokes/flares around public people.

[RedBB]

Maybe we should make our own mob to "handle" those that rip flares at the march or cause trouble!

[Drone]

Maybe we should make our own mob to "handle" those that rip flares at the march or cause trouble!

 

Lol, could be an idea. I'm sure others would pull them up too if they did it in a stupid place.

Edited August 11, 2013 by Drone

[Zelinsky]

Guys, use the media channels to fight back.

 

The church street march has fallen victim to the overheated pre match atmosphere of the Sydney derby. Any other match against any other opponents would not have the capacity to create that charge.

 

Get a statement of the cop in Newcastle (the one at the BBQ) how well behaved it all was if possible. Warm up your contacts with the press (the guys who have mingled with the RBB) and make your case. Get an endorsement from local businesses. Talk to town hall. Try and get an endorsement from the club. Then get the press behind it, stressing one message: the actions of one dickhead do not represent the RBB, and that cancelling the march is an overreaction.

 

If the RBB is seen to misbehave you can expect a response accordingly. Your issue is not with the police, but with general public opinion. Get yourself a media savy speaker who can act as an acceptable face to the public. Any demo will, in the eye of the public, troublesome. So, behave, and try and get into the paper and on current affairs. And for goodness sake, keep the flares at home until things have settled down at least.

 

Oh, and before I forget, thanks you ****wit, the one who threw the glas. Well done, numbbrain. I hope you are happy, and I hope you are going to get identfied, handed over to the authorities, and be dealt with.

[Wanderboy]

 

Oh, and before I forget, thanks you ****wit, the one who threw the glas. Well done, numbbrain. I hope you are happy, and I hope you are going to get identfied, handed over to the authorities, and be dealt with.

 

There MUST BE SOMEONE out there who knows who this clown was.

He is not needed as a supporter.

I have no problem with this dick being dobbed in to the police. If it was done by one of us, it would surely be looked upon favourably by the police as a gesture of goodwill. This knob end must be found.

[Ian]

If anyone knows them please email the club, or at least tell them to f. off and not come back.

[theguyyouwishyouwere]

how about we offer not to march on games when facing nsw based teams?

[westofcentre]

how about we offer not to march on games when facing nsw based teams?

I would suggest Marsden for derby. Maybe Melbourne? Rest Church Street.

[srsen]

 

Ian's right, police are responible for public safety. HOw can they possibley guarentee public safety on Church st with the march anymore? I mean honestly, when a d*ckhead smokies Oporto's with kids in there......... it only takes 0.01% of people marching to f*ck up and its all done.

Maybe a season of Marsden st marchs, WITH ZERO INCIDENTS, then use that full incident-free season as evidence that we can have a march back? Just my 2 cents

Ian's right, police are responible for public safety. HOw can they possibley guarentee public safety on Church st with the march anymore? I mean honestly, when a d*ckhead smokies Oporto's with kids in there......... it only takes 0.01% of people marching to f*ck up and its all done.

Maybe a season of Marsden st marchs, WITH ZERO INCIDENTS, then use that full incident-free season as evidence that we can have a march back? Just my 2 cents

This is the problem brother. This IS NNOT about the one stooge who threw the glass.

 

This is about the bigoted media and people with agendas derailing our march.

 

Any gathering of people - sports, pubs whatever there are some incidence of violence especially when alcohol is involved.

 

The chances of us marching down Marsden incident free for an entire season are virtually zero.

 

we are defeated before we even begin. And at any rate we are only addressing the "veneer", the fallacy to this issue.

 

 

We are not addressing the true discriminatory reasons. We are not fighting on our terms the battle that needs fighting.

 

Youre not wrong mate, its very hard when your trying to change years of a certain mindset. I guess we have to expect opposition if we do things right though, the opposition should eventually be overcome. Sadly, we are the first group to truely to push this line and accordingly we will encounter strong opposition. If we are smart with how we approach it, sooner or later, i think the march will return. But patience, very important

 

Guys, use the media channels to fight back.

 

The church street march has fallen victim to the overheated pre match atmosphere of the Sydney derby. Any other match against any other opponents would not have the capacity to create that charge.

 

Get a statement of the cop in Newcastle (the one at the BBQ) how well behaved it all was if possible. Warm up your contacts with the press (the guys who have mingled with the RBB) and make your case. Get an endorsement from local businesses. Talk to town hall. Try and get an endorsement from the club. Then get the press behind it, stressing one message: the actions of one dickhead do not represent the RBB, and that cancelling the march is an overreaction.

 

If the RBB is seen to misbehave you can expect a response accordingly. Your issue is not with the police, but with general public opinion. Get yourself a media savy speaker who can act as an acceptable face to the public. Any demo will, in the eye of the public, troublesome. So, behave, and try and get into the paper and on current affairs. And for goodness sake, keep the flares at home until things have settled down at least.

 

Oh, and before I forget, thanks you ****wit, the one who threw the glas. Well done, numbbrain. I hope you are happy, and I hope you are going to get identfied, handed over to the authorities, and be dealt with.

This is very well said. Im sure such avenues are being persued, but its a good start

[mack]

Admin: No flare talk.

[matty]

I don't want to be negative for the sake of it but I really am concerned that we'll never get the march back to church st if we march on Marsden.

 

I've rarely (if ever) seen public officers endorse a more risky activity to replace a 'safer' one simply because people want it.

 

By that I mean, if we march on Marsden we will never be able to go back to Church because it is seen as the riskier alternative.

Good behaviour on Marsden will just vindicate the police decision to move it. On the flip side, bad behaviour will too.

 

I can't say I have the solution but the best thing I can come up with is to ignore and boycott the Marsden march.

 

Ensure an official 'march' is in no way encouraged.

Circulate amongst ourselves that there is no (official) march. This is vital, nothing can be 'official'. If challenged by authorities we need only be truthful, "there is no march".

 

We can continue to encourage the Woolpack and Commercial gatherings.

 

Come time to head to Parra stadium see what happens...

 

Families will wait around church st in cafes and restaurants roughly an hour before kick off, listening for the sound.

 

People will leave pubs simultaneously as they recognise faces in the RBB leaving together.

 

Everyone will walk down Church out of habit, many will sing, some accompanied by an instrument a friend plays. They'll enjoy themselves and if challenged by authorities need simply be truthful and forthcoming "just walking to the football mate".

 

Bureaucracy is broken.

 

We live in a privileged, free society.

As friends we can walk, shoulder to shoulder, where we please.

Against this, there is no law!

[westofcentre]

Some good points Matty.

 

Ian - from what I understand - according to police a potential return to Church Street is not even entertained, even towards the end of the season. We cannot even get to first base where it may be an option (?)

Edited August 11, 2013 by westofcentre

[dochers]

Agree with Matty's well-considered post above, and although I'm sympathetic to the suggestion that we do Marsden it's probably true that that'll be the permanent death knell for any marching down Church St.

So my 2c worth is that we should not have an [official] march at all, we should not play their game on their terms. Nor should we have a chaotic 'semi-official' march whereby we'll all be tarred with the same brush if there is misbehaviour. Nothing official at all.

We're only one year into what will be an enduring active support base, let's let it grow as it will with small groups & individuals marching together (hopefully without incident) down Church St. Step by step.

 

And a huge thank you to Ian, Benched and all responsible for co-ordinating our marches in season #1. It's now a template we can return to.

[Pup55]

I don't want to be negative for the sake of it but I really am concerned that we'll never get the march back to church st if we march on Marsden.

 

I've rarely (if ever) seen public officers endorse a more risky activity to replace a 'safer' one simply because people want it.

 

By that I mean, if we march on Marsden we will never be able to go back to Church because it is seen as the riskier alternative.

Good behaviour on Marsden will just vindicate the police decision to move it. On the flip side, bad behaviour will too.

 

I can't say I have the solution but the best thing I can come up with is to ignore and boycott the Marsden march.

 

Ensure an official 'march' is in no way encouraged.

Circulate amongst ourselves that there is no (official) march. This is vital, nothing can be 'official'. If challenged by authorities we need only be truthful, "there is no march".

 

We can continue to encourage the Woolpack and Commercial gatherings.

 

Come time to head to Parra stadium see what happens...

 

Families will wait around church st in cafes and restaurants roughly an hour before kick off, listening for the sound.

 

People will leave pubs simultaneously as they recognise faces in the RBB leaving together.

 

Everyone will walk down Church out of habit, many will sing, some accompanied by an instrument a friend plays. They'll enjoy themselves and if challenged by authorities need simply be truthful and forthcoming "just walking to the football mate".

 

Bureaucracy is broken.

 

We live in a privileged, free society.

As friends we can walk, shoulder to shoulder, where we please.

Against this, there is no law!

 

Winer Winner Chicken Dinner.