It is surely a good outcome in our country of asylum from the world’s conflicts that street protests are happily tolerated during the recent Middle East frictions. It is clear that frustrations are best verbalised at rallies, dissipating simmering emotions, rather than be secretly resolved with unwelcome anti-social activities. However, when protesters take actions like occupying Defence Minister Richard Marle’s office in Melbourne, a different strategy is demanded. (Protesters stick necks out for Palestine, 2/11). Since their commitment to their cause is so important to them, surely those chaining themselves by the neck in public places should be left there until they abandon their allegiances. After garnering publicity, the police quickly free them, minimising any demonstration of genuine self-sacrifice. Leaving protesters in their chosen pose and location, would truly test how serious they are. Those paid activists of the past, blocking highways and railway lines needed to be moved, but a bunch of Melbournites, chained up at an MP’s office for a few days might prove entertaining reality TV. Alan Sexton, North Parramatta 3Nov2023.