Hundreds of angry people, some elderly; two on crutches, voiced their disgust and frustration and prevented the delivery of materials to the M5E stack site this morning. Residents stood united against the unfiltered stack which will be a threat to their quality of life as Channel 9 cameras recorded the events. One mother commented, "If my children are threatened, I am prepared to do anything to protect them."

The constant hammering of the pile drivers was so excessive that it was difficult to hear the speakers. However, this did not deter the demonstrators who prevented a large truck from entering the site by blocking the gates and chanting, "No stack! Go home!" Peter Siapos, (RAPS) stated, "The RTA and the government are being bloody minded by not using world's best practice in this and all other Sydney stacks. People power stopped work today but only a political decision can come up with the right answer."

Speaker Mark Curran told the crowd that overseas experts had expressed amazement at the position of the stack and the shameful waste of energy needed to run the ventilation system. "The RTA also tells us it will satisfy stringent air quality goals but there are four sets of air quality data now so who knows what will really happen? In the meantime, the RTA continues playing Russian Roulette with our lives."

Marrickville Councillors, Sam Byrne and Sylvia Hale were amongst the demonstrators. "We are extraordinarily concerned about the impact of fumes from the stack drifting across the Marrickville area and mingling with the exhaust fumes of aeroplanes and cars," said Councillor Hale.

At the end of the demonstration, the police were praised for their handling of the situation.

Demonstrators agreed to meet at the stack site every morning next week starting

Monday 21^st August. For information ring 9558 4977, O407 022 242 or 9573 0052.

To veiw photos from the rally please click here http://www.skyboom.com/flashlangley/soc/events/raps/20000819/index.html