FREEDOM MARCH 2004
Date and time: 24 January, 2pm
Venue: Canberra, Australia
Attendance figures: 3
Yesterday morning at 8am, my son, a friend of his and I set out from Sydney and drove the 325 kms to Canberra. The weather was fine and the forecast for Canberra was 32 degrees centigrade (90 degree fahrenhheit) with afternoon storms. The drive was pleasant and we stopped at a MacDonald's for a late breakfast. Arriving in Canberra a little before midday, we called at the Tourist Information complex which is an impressive set-up with a large staff in a fairly large building surrounded by very adequate parking. Not to my amazement, no tourist guides knew anything of the Magna Carta Monument. Fortunately, I did as I had previously been there after making the effort to research the project.
We then proceded by car to the area known as the "Parliamentary Triangle" to see what sort of "construction site" the Magna Carta Monument had been turned into. Sure enough, there was a path being laid and six-foot cyclone fencing all around with signs saying "Trespassers will be prosecuted". There were no workmen anywhere (being a Saturday)...in fact there was not a sign of any any other persons expect we three. We took a few photos and went from there to Parliament House. We took a few more photos with the banner and that impressive building as the background. Incidentally, the banner says "Freedom Marrch 2004 - Civil & Political Rights for Australians". When we were doing this, a Federal Policeman walked over to us and said he had been told we were there over his walkie-talkie - even though we had not seen anyone around the MC Monument. He was quite friendly - as were we.
We packed the banner back into the car, which we'd parked in the underground car park, and went into the Parliament House where we had muffins and drinks as a light lunch. When going through security, I got some very dirty looks from the men in uniform - but they could see we were harmless. After the snack, we walked from the cafeteria around to the display of the copy of Magna Carta in an area between the Senate and the House of Representatives chambers. Practically all the tourist going through the building were Asians and there was a large group of them with their guide in front of the Magna Carta booth which shaded the exhibit because of its age, ie: no flash photography, etc.
By then it was 2pm and we went back to the MC Monument. We were there only a few minutes when a blue sporty sedan pulled up on the grass next to us and another Federal Policeman in all that "SWAT" gear got out and came over to us. He, also, was a very friendly fellow. We all shook hands, etc., and he said he was just there to make sure we were safe. After about 15 minutes chit-chat he wanted to know when we were leaving. As no-one else had turned up, I said "in about 3 minutes" and we all shook hands, again. When we left, he drove away.
On the trip back to Sydney (another 325 kms) we again shared the driving and stopped at the same MacDonalds for coffee (they do good coffee at MacDonalds) and a comfort stop. When we were in the restuarant there was a tremendous thunder storm with lights going out, etc. The storm passed and we continued back home where we arrived a little after 6pm. The old car went well and I hope the photos turn out okay.
Yours sincerely,
John Wilson.
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