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Drummers Protest at Mullumbimby Markets

On Saturday the 18th of August Mullumbimby was treated to a spectacular march by local drummers through the streets to the local markets site . Hundreds marched to protest against the progressive erosion of personal freedoms in the modern world. The march was primarily organised to protest against the ban on drumming at the Mullumbimby markets, however the significance expanded to the progressive eroding of civil liberites and our North Coast way of life.

Hundreds marched and watched as drums of all sizes wove their way up Stuart Street to the Mullumbimby markets site.The drums ranged from  from small and sweet to Veet's big bass drum, which had to be  wheeled along on a special trolley. People danced and had plenty of fun and waved colourful flags. People of all ages and of different backgrounds joined in or watched the best show seen in Mullumbimby for a while.

When the procession reached the markets site,  it went into the markets and rallied at the back of the market site.  After 15 minutes or so of wild drumming and dancing, all became quiet as various speakers addressed the group.


Greens candidate for Richmond, Giovanni Ebono, was one who addressed the crowd;
He said, "Our way of life here is under threat by suburbs sprawling down the coast. The challenge we have ahead of us is, not just markets or walking dogs on the beach.  The real challlenge is a clash of lifestyles. The incrediblly difficult thing is that different people want different things.  So the fact you are organising a talking circle to deal with conflicts peacefully is the key. If we line up on opposite sides and start throwing rocks at each other, then the guys with the biggest money and the biggest guns are going to win. We have to do it with love,  we have to do it creatively, and we need to show people that the sort of lifestyle we have created here, is  the lifestyle of the future. The people  who are driving big cars, building big houses and bombing the crap out of the world  have got it wrong. We know what the future is, and we need to show the rest of the world this is the way to do it, and we need to do it with love and with leadership. That is why I am standing for the Greens. "