The Sound of Solidarity

Author: solidarity.net.au

A podcast series brought to you by Solidarity, a revolutionary socialist group in Australia. www.solidarity.net.au
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Language: en

Genres: Government, News, Politics

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How the first Mardi Gras defied anti-protest laws
Episode 230
Thursday, 5 March, 2026

Ken Davis, a '78er who took part in the first Sydney Mardi Gras, and Jean Parker from Solidarity discuss the lessons from 1978, when the first Mardi Gras protest march demanding LGBTIQ+ liberation was violently attacked by police with 53 arrests and people severely beaten. Mass defiance not only strengthened the fight against discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people but also triggered a campaign to drop the charges that won legal change and the right to march. As we face new anti-protest laws today, Ken and Jean will explain what happened and the lessons for today. Read more about LGBTIQ+ liberation. Find out more about Solidarity. This talk was given at a Solidarity meeting in Sydney on 26 February 2026.