Heavy presence: Police gather at Homebush before the World Trade Organisation forum Picture: Lindsay MollerFighting words: Mr [Len Kanaar] at the social centre Picture: Jeremy Piper; Photo: Photo

The centre, at Homebush in Sydney’s west, is one of the main hubs for organisers of protests against the WTO forum. The theatre is covered with graffiti. Peeling posters pasted along the front, advertising a car rally, declare: “Final Battle 2002.” At the rear, a graffiti slogan declares: “People do not BOW your heads. THE only way is forward, with Bottles and Petrol.”

ON one side of the trade war yesterday, 400 police gathered to protect the ministers and other government officials preparing for today’s World Trade Organisation forum.

On the other side of 3km of steel-and-concrete barricades at Sydney’s Homebush was Len Kanaar, Friends of the Earth member and Midnight Star Social Centre regular.

The centre, at Homebush in Sydney’s west, is one of the main hubs for organisers of protests against the WTO forum. The theatre is covered with graffiti. Peeling posters pasted along the front, advertising a car rally, declare: “Final Battle 2002.” At the rear, a graffiti slogan declares: “People do not BOW your heads. THE only way is forward, with Bottles and Petrol.”

“Bottles and Petrol” comprise just one of the worries of the heavy contingent guarding Fortress Homebush. As the ministers began to filter in yesterday under heavy police escort, the last of the 2m- high concrete-and-steel barricades were erected, completely surrounding the hotel where the meeting is to be held and cutting off access to other parts of the Olympic Park site.

By last night, trains to Olympic Park had been stopped, buses had ceased and no tourists were allowed in. Mounted police, the dog squad, riot officers and two helicopters circling the perimeter were lined up outside the Novotel, seemingly ready for battle. But thehotspot for violence between police and protesters is the centre of Sydney, where police have banned street marches — peaceful or otherwise.

Last night, more than 800 anti-WTO protesters defied the ban and marched peacefully from Sydney Town Hall to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs office.

Len Kanaar said he had joined the anti-WTO campaign because international trade agreements overrode environmental agreements.

A veteran of protests at Woomera and Pine Gap, he said he was concerned about personal safety at demonstrations.

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