Being in smaller groups would also discourage people simply leaving the action when nothing was going on. Peace-keepers could be better prepared, more willing to space themselves throughout the blockade and aim to reduce tension or aggression well before it develops into fights or scuffles. This simple sign of respect would do much to lesson the misunderstanding and frustration felt by people caught up in the blockade and may also discourage blockaders from venting their anger by abusing innocent passengers. The entire blockade on December 17 could have been achieved without the use of any secrecy. Open actions, if well planned, are powerful actions because all activists can act with full knowledge, and their commitment to decisions that they made together is stronger.
Openness encourages peoples creativity and their courage.
Strategically, being open makes a group harder to politically marginalise and builds a stronger and more united campaign. These points aside, the blockade of Sydney Airport was a superbly organised success and certainly a wonderful and empowering experience for thousands of people living under Sydney's flight paths and effected by the third runway. People were obviously and justifiably proud of their act of resistance and determined have another blockade if necessary. As the third runway is only a part of the devastating changes that face the people of Sydney leading up to the 2000 Olympics, it is important to maintain widespread, grassroots, and nonviolent resistance in order to protect what we cherish about inner-city communities.