Australia Day fracas: police violence rather than Aboriginal “riot”?
“[One officer] can be seen in footage that has now emerged attacking at least two different protesters, none of whom were aggressive towards him. He also uses foul language, including using the c-word at a cameraman and telling media to f— off. That is not the actions of a professional police officer. “Indeed Aboriginal people are arrested for that sort of conduct every
single day.”
Call to investigate police after tent embassy protest, SMH, Saffron Howden January 31, 2012 Indigenous groups are calling for an independent investigation into the “violent” conduct of police officers during last week’s tent embassy protest. The NSW Aboriginal Land Council asked the Human Rights Commission to investigate as new video footage emerged today depicting federal police officers yelling, swearing and using physical force after Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott were rushed from The Lobby restaurant in Canberra last week.
“It’s now also clear from new video footage … that there are some
serious questions that need to be addressed about the conduct of
officers, particularly after the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader
had been removed from the demonstration,” Land Council chief executive
Geoff Scott said in a statement…..
one of the tent embassy founders, Michael Anderson, said the police
actions on the day warranted investigation.
“I was quite shocked at the behaviour of some police,” Mr Anderson
said. “As far as I was concerned, all they had to do after the Prime
Minister’s vehicle left was disband and everyone else would have as
well.
“Instead they linked arms, unholstered their weapons and began
confronting protesters. It was an act of incitement on their part,” he
said.
“I believe if anybody is going to be charged, they need to look at the
conduct of several police officers.
“[One officer] can be seen in footage that has now emerged attacking
at least two different protesters, none of whom were aggressive
towards him. He also uses foul language, including using the c-word at
a cameraman and telling media to f— off. That is not the actions of
a professional police officer.
“Indeed Aboriginal people are arrested for that sort of conduct every
single day.” http://www.smh.com.au/national/call-to-investigate-police-after-tent-embassy–protest-20120131-1qqsz.html#ixzz1lA407GkE
1 Comment »
Leave a comment
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 
didnt know an embassy was for one issue? its as relevant today as ever, they are there to deal with all issues and issues that havent been identified yet, why do Australia have embassys all over the world, if the one issue is dealt with close them down, although i dont expect any sensible debate from aussies anymore, the lack of education makes real discussion impossible, we now have what i call the “bolt” syndrome, when people think they understand something until its tested then lose (and sook), thats what happens when one person owns half the worlds media and mastered his craft here, i understand ignorance is bliss but its beyond a joke now, they are now damaging their ability to learn, thanks for making our job easier
LikeLike