Contributed by Jim Hayes

Sunday saw the Freedom marches in several Australian cities. They were about opposing mask wearing, , isolation and vaccinations. Opponents accuse attendees at these marches of endangering others. Some say these people patsies for people like Peta Credlin, other prominent figures of the far right, and neo-Nazi groups. Q anon and silly conspiracy theories get a mention

Tempting as it might be to condemn, there’s more to it. Ridiculing and condemning these people is the wrong approach t take. Anger is making them step up, and they have good reason to be angry.

There is a deep sense that Australia is in trouble. The economy is in a mess. Job prospects and economic security are fading for millions of Australians, and the familiar is undergoing rapid change. The fear of dislocation and uncertainty about the future are rising.

Angry marchers in Sydney

continue along the same course. Add to this a perceived rise in political lies and corruption. The consensus on neoliberalism in the parliament has added to this belief

Together, they are tearing strips off the legitimacy of Australia’s political institutions and those who operate within them. They see an elite in control for the benefit of a few.

Most of those who attended the freedom marches feel of this. Many other Australians do too. Except here, the difference is a dead end and threatens the rise of fascism. The term fits. Fascism relates to the promotion of power in the hands of those who have it. Fascism relies on compulsion and punishing those seen to betray this power. There is the blame game, targeting the innocent.

Believing that they are against it, does not alter that the elite is the major promoter of this movement. It knows the country is in a mess, and fearing the reaction of the population, it moves to protect its wealth and privileges. One means is to head anger in a controlled direction.

This was a global event, replicated in other cities kin different countries. Australia is not alone with these issues.

Photo by Luis Ascui/AAP Image: The march in Melbourne

The Murdoch and other big media work as its propaganda arm, constantly providing a platform and padding the numbers attending events. The shock jocks pay their roles. Big money funds the digital platforms promoting this political movement, which seeks to harness anger towards knocking down false targets. Now it is COVID.

Sometimes there is a jab against the marchers from the same media sources. This does not get in the way of the constant promotion.

Condemning those who have been drawn int this vortex is the wrong way to deal with the matter.

It would be much more productive to understand their and find unity. Most of us are concerned about broadly the same things. We a want a fair go. A future not sacrificed to the greed of a few; jobs, fairness, economic security. Our shared aspiration is for a future guaranteeing these rights.

All are calling for a voice and a political system that works in the interests of Australia

Wouldn’t it be better to find a real answer together?