Introduction
History not only provides inspiration and lessons from the past but also helps us to place today’s campaigns and forms of activism within a living tradition of social change.
These videos focus on “movement moments”, big and small, events during which Australian activists pushed forward issues and campaigns, challenged the status quo, and created the conditions for social change. They are part of an ongoing series and will be regularly updated over time.
Watch Videos
Watch Movement Moments below or on our Youtube Channel.
A Short History of Australian Arms Fair Protests, 1986 – 2021
A short history of anti-arms fair protests in Australia from 1986 – 2021. Read more.
Women for Survival: Pine Gap Protest 1983
During November 1983, 800 women rallied against global violence outside the US run military base at Pine Gap, which is on Arrernte country in the Northern Territory. The base, which plays a key role in warfighting for the US and its allies, has been subject to regular protests in the decades since, most recently for its part in the bombing of Gaza.
A Short History of Australian Environmental Blockades, 1979 – 1984
This short video about the history of Australian environmental blockades was produced by Iain McIntyre for the 2022 Plan C Climate Summer School. It briefly outlines a number of successful Australian campaigns which established blockading as a response to destructive activities and discusses the outcomes that the strategy can achieve. Read more.
Beer Strikes: A History of Hotel Boycotts in Australia, 1900 – 1920
The tactic of ‘boycotting’ individuals, businesses and organisations by ostracizing them, refusing to supply them, or to purchase their products, dates back millennia. Mainly associated today with lifestyle choices and large scale environmental, union and anti-discrimination campaigns, historically boycotts in Australia were often localized, community based campaigns focused on industrial disputes and the cost of living.
Traditionally many Australian boycotts targeted pubs and other alcohol based venues. Popularly known as “beer strikes” these involved drinkers refusing to patronize some or all of the hotels in a locality until their demands were met. In this presentation Iain McIntyre discusses the grievances that gave life to early “beer strike” campaigns, who was involved in them, how they were typically carried out and their outcomes. It is based on a talk given at the 2022 Australian Society for the Study of Labour History conference.
The Prahran Free Speech Fight 1906
This video tells the story of a major free speech fight which took place in Melbourne during 1906. While Prahran council happily provided street speaking permits to religious groups and patent medicine sellers they refused issue them to the Victorian Socialist Party. In response a campaign was launched, drawing huge crowds and resulting in 20 members being fined or imprisoned.