Community banners proclaiming the CFMEU’s green ban on the destruction of Willow Grove have been stolen from the site overnight in a cowardly attack on the community campaign to save Parramatta’s unique heritage sites.
“Cowards who act under the cover of darkness will not deter the CFMEU from our resolve to stand with the local community to defend these sites from destruction,” said Darren Greenfield, CFMEU NSW Secretary.
“These tactics are reminiscent of the behaviour we’ve seen too often before in Parramatta where the wrecking balls and bull dozers are sent in in the dead of night. We won’t let that happen here.”
“The widespread community support for saving Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace should sound a warning to anyone who thinks they can ride roughshod over the wishes of the local Parramatta community.”
“The theft of the banners proclaiming the CFMEU’s green ban is an unnecessary escalation that will fuel distrust towards those who seem determined to destroy these properties, whatever the heritage cost.”
“This campaign is bigger than a few banners, it is made up of thousands of people, not just from Parramatta, but from around Sydney and New South Wales who are sick of seeing important heritage sites destroyed to line developers’ pockets.”
“Since announcing the green ban, the CFMEU has been contacted by thousands of people telling us they would be willing to put their bodies on the line to save these properties.”
“If the proponents of the destruction of Willow Grove and St George’s Terrace think they can ignore the will of the community on this, they need only look to the example set by unions and community members during the green bans of the 60s and 70s.”
“People working together saved some of Sydney’s most beloved heritage sites from destruction through peaceful protest and civil disobedience. Developers should be under no illusion that their dirty tactics will work when faced with staunch and united community opposition this time.”
