Antinuclear

CHOGM Action Network spokesman Alex Bainbridge said he understood that police would tolerate the sit-in and not try to remove protesters. But planned protests were carried out peacefully without incident. Several hundred protesters marching towards the venue of the Commonwealth leaders meeting in Perth were halted by police at a road block and told they could not go further.

Just after midday the protesters approached an intersection in the city centre where they planned to stage a sit-in but they were blocked beforehand with a fence and lines of riot police were waiting with hands crossed in front of them. A senior police officer told the halted marchers through a loud hailer that the road was closed and they could not advance further…..

Police officers on horseback and foot had preceded the march on Friday as a police helicopter hovered overhead. After a rally in Forrest Place protesters made their way along to central city shopping malls towards the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre where the summit is taking place.

Protest groups included anti-nuclear, refugee rights, environmental and anti-corporate greed movements….. Police were swarming over central Perth with the main business district in lockdown for the official opening.

Reports estimate around half of the state’s 6000 officers are involved and about 800 extra police have been flown in from around Australia and New Zealand to assist in the security operation. F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets have also been flying over the city…. http://www.perthnow.com.au/perth-prepares-royal-welcome-for-the-queen/story-fn6mh6b5-1226179051663