Stations of the X - 274 mardi gras 1978

The first Mardi Gras parade along Oxford Street on Saturday 24th June 1978 was subjected to police harassment. Following a fracas at Hyde Park, the crowd, by now a bit angry and confused, headed for Kings Cross, where the police began to round them up and made about 50 arrests. Over the following weeks there were further protests leading to more arrests, but in the end many of the charges were dropped and by the next year the laws in relation to the holding of public demonstrations had been relaxed.

The parade, now part of a longer festival, is one of the largest of its kind in the world. And while it is an excuse to parade exotic and edgy costumes and behaviours, it is also a serious event with hard hitting commentary on the political issues of the day. While some die-hard opponents may still pray for rain, many respectable organizations now participate, including gay members of the police force.

clip from digby duncan's Witches, Faggots, Dykes and Poofters
text from SCC's historical walkind tours - the strip on the strip
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/aboutsydney/visitorguidesinformation/histo...

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[ConceptualMadness]

This is the doco narrated by Jude Kuring who played "Noeline Burke" from prisoner fame. Have you got the whole thing? Imagine if the mardi gras in 78 was like it is these days? The cops and premier Wran the man wouldnt know what to do!