Fluoride rally fails to gain support

March 17, 2010
BorderWatch.com.au
Mar. 17, 2010

A LONE campaigner was the only person to walk Commercial Street on Saturday in the rally he organised to allow those in favour of the public health measure to demonstrate their support.

“The purpose of the rally was to gauge how many of those in the community want fluoridation,” Choice Mount Gambier’s Alex Young said.

However, Mr Young said it was not clear whether the poor turn-out for the pro-fluoridation rally after more than 120 people participated in an anti-fluoride protest on July 16 meant the majority of the community was against the process.

“I think people feel the government will go ahead with it anyway, so why bother coming out to support the rally,” he said.

“I can’t speak on behalf of anybody else, but it brings into question whether there is the consensus that could only be gained through a referendum or poll.”

Police left the scene prior to Mr Young leaving the Vansittart Park assembly area and marching on Commercial Street after an officer at the scene said there were not sufficient numbers in the rally to warrant traffic control.

Meanwhile, Choice Mount Gambier will step up its campaign this weekend with volunteers stationed at State Election polling booths on Saturday to ask people to sign a petition.

The petition calls on the government to stop development of the Mount Gambier fluoridation plant until the “will of the Mount Gambier community can be ascertained by way of a community referendum or poll”.