Web activists target Olympics

There have already been protests over the Olympics

Activists against the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney say they will be using the internet to help co-ordinate and publicise their protests, the largest of which is expected at the Games' opening ceremony on 15 September.

Several anti-Olympic internet sites have been set up recently, detailing protests and campaigns on a wide range of issues.

Some have taken their cue - and even their computer code - from successful websites set up by grassroots protestors in Seattle and elsewhere.

While activity on the net may flourish unchecked, protestors are facing tight control at the Games physically.

Protestors hope to highlight the Aboriginal cause

The New South Wales parliament has passed temporary laws giving "authorised personnel" police powers at major venues in Sydney to remove protestors or anyone causing "annoyance".

Giving out leaflets is also prohibited in the legislation, carrying a fine of A$5,000.

The laws will create "no-go areas" where it will not be possible to protest, said Ms Lee Rhiannon, a Greens Party MP for the NSW parliament.

Ms Rhiannon said protestors were championing a number of issues.

"In most cases, it's not that they're opposed to the Olympics," she said.

"They're opposed to the enormous pressure put on Sydney - on the whole budget, on transport, on housing."

Groups supporting Aborigines also hope to highlight their cause to an international platform at the Games.

Seattle sister site

One new website set up for the Olympics is run by the Sydney Independent Medic Centre (IMC).

[The website] is run by people with a passion for electronic communications and social change

Gabrielle Kuiper, Sydney IMC

It is related - and uses the same computer language - as the Seattle IMC, which had a million hits at the height of the protests against the World Trade Organisation last year.

"One of the guys who did our code went to Seattle and met someone there doing their website. It's all very collaborative," said Gabrielle Kuiper from the Sydney IMC.

"We want to provide an online forum for discussion and debate, unfiltered by gatekeepers - like the Socratic town square, only online with text, audio, video and graphics," she said.

"It's run by people with a passion for electronic communications and social change," said Ms Kuiper.