Police attack demonstrators after SOS |
| by WAcopwatch |
2007-07-17 1:42 AM +0800 |
On Friday 13th June 2007, around 40 people from across Australia converged in Subiaco, to deliver a letter to Federal Science minister Julie Bishop over her proposed NT nuclear waste dump. During the peaceful action, witnesses say WA Police used "brutal" and "excessive force" to break up the action. Two anonymous witnesses, both veterans of dozens of local NVDA demonstrations, told Perth Indymedia that it was the "worst behaviour by members of the WA Police they had ever seen at any protest in Perth..."
After an initial discussion with the Minister outside her office, the group walked into the foyer to deliver their letter. As the group were asked to vacate, without warning police used batons and pepper spray to attack the campaigners inside the minister's office. Witnesses say one officer grabbed a woman by the hair before producing his baton and using it on random people.
Described by witnesses as "brutal" and "disgusting", officers targetted people with cameras including an elderly woman who was pushed to the ground. A young woman was pinned to the ground by an officer, her video camera seized and confiscated by police for evidence. It is understood five people were charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing police and assault - despite the excessive force sisplayed by police. Three people were hospitalised as many others were treated on the scene by paramedics.
The group, representing dozens of environmental and student organisations from around Australia, were delivering a letter to Ms Bishop requesting she visit the communities affected by her Nuclear waste dump. A participant in the national action, Toby Lee, told corporate media that police launched an "unprovoked attack" on the congregation. "As I was leaving," he said, "I was directly sprayed with capsicum spray into my eyes 10 centimeters from my face without warning". Another activist, Natalie Wasley, told corporate media she was negotiating a peaceful exit with police officers as inside they began using their batons.
"We didn't get a chance to leave peacefully. The police just started pepper spraying people, hitting them with batons and throwing them to the floor. It was absolutely shameful." Ms Walsey denied the group provoked the violence. Protesters left the office with eyes streaming and burnt faces, after being struck with batons and pepper sprayed...
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John Howards Tiannamen Square |
| by |
2007-07-17 11:09 AM +0800 |
Dont be foled by the labour Liberal designation. this is the work of John Howard to remove your rights and make u work under totalitarianism.
It's aleady here people John Howard's Nazi concentration camps called detention centers
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Over the top! |
| by Violent Police |
2007-07-17 9:30 PM +0800 |
Instead of allowing for protesters to even exit the building - mace and batons were used savagely on young women, elders and even children!
Protesters were not even given a chance to get out of Bishop's office.
The police actually locked and blocked all exits.
Folks with cameras, video cams or recording devices were targeted.
Cops know that if this evidence became public property, their actions would be seen to be illegal and the potential for an inquest to be called would be highly likely.
WE SHOULD DEMAND TO GET THIS FOOTAGE BACK.
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staffer loses job |
| by silencing dissent |
2007-07-18 9:53 AM +0800 |
Greens senator Rachael Siewart spoke at the SOS conference on the issue of silencing dissent. A week later she sacked a staffer who was present at the above action. I suppose the question arises as to, who's right to dissent is being silenced?
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Astounding |
| by A perth activist |
2007-07-18 10:45 AM +0800 |
Indeed - it seems totally incongruous that a Greens staffer be sacked for doing what they do best - Challenging the Liberal government!
Friday's action was a NON-VIOLENT action, only made violent by the brutality of police. This is trial by media. By sacking Nic, the Greens (specifically Rachel Siewert) are in effect - "silencing dissent."
People in the Greens will now probably think twice before excercising dissent or they may get the SACK!
It seems Rachel's decision is based purely on Cop/Howard media spin by those who inflicted the violence on a group of peaceful demonstrators.
Young women, Indigenous Elders and children were hit with batons and sprayed with cap spray. Folks were not even given a real chance to vacate Bishop's office - cops locked and blocked all exits. Media were attacked too as those with cameras were directly targeted - confiscating cameras.
Nicola is a damn fine person and a great activist. To sack her for protesting is a shocking reaction.
Greens - you have lost my vote.
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reply |
| by hfjk |
2007-07-18 11:40 AM +0800 |
i have seen footage... is it up on indy media yet?? there was no argy bargy- people were trying to "de-arrest" ( which is illegal i think?!??! and there was reports some one threw a- one rock) People were JUST chanting! and dancing on desk tops. A cop comes in the side door and ripps down the girl on the desk top and starts swinging the batton. THEn people react to this "unprovoked" attack. Of course police and Ms Bishop would argue that 40-50 people surrounding her (chanting) and "occupying" her office IS provication. PEople did NOT want a fight. PEople assumed it was to be such a peacefull protest children were there too., They were on their way out when police shoved past them and the gate they were using - scaring the livin' daylights out of them, Apparently a nice cop talked to the kids afterwards to assure the kids not all cops hit people.
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| by silencing dissent |
2007-07-18 11:42 AM +0800 |
It seems odd to me that such an interest regarding the action has been taken by the media. I mean, someone losing their job made page four of the west australian. I wonder, that should 'nicola' not have lost her job, that the issue would have blown over and have been forgotten. She was 'on leave at the time of the protest.'It does seem a salt in the wound style response...sack someone...and you get more media and attention over an issue, that otherwise could have blown over...further drawing attention to the hypocritical aspects reflected in what the greens say and what they actually do. Prehaps the decision to sack Nicola was a greens party decision, which was an attempt at image damage control. If this is the case, it is a decision that really enshrines some of those aspects of Howards IR laws. I think sacking someone, on their week off....hmmm..sounds like unfair dismissal to me. I wonder if the situation, placed under a different category would change the greens attitude. An example: An employee of a local Deli attends a protest on her week off from work. During this protest she is scuffled, endures bruising from heavy handed policing, then attends work the following week. Her employer sells bread to Julie Bishop, and upon hearing about the protest, sacks this employee. Sounds unfair doesnt it? I think it would be worse if the Deli boss/employer was also an active voice on the problems relating to Howards workplace laws, amongst other issues.
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Note that some deliberately hostile comments in this thread have been hidden |
| by Perth Indy Eds |
2007-07-18 11:53 AM +0800 |
Please review our editorial policy before posting:
http://perth.indymedia.org/index.php?action=wiki&page=ed%20policy
Perth IMC strives to provide both a grassroots media resource and a forum for people to contribute meaningful and respectful discussion of local, regional and global events and activist issues.
Abuse of others in the form of personal attacks is not acceptable here.
Indymedia is NOT a space for people to play out personal vendettas.
Trolls are NOT welcome.
Intimidation, Nusiance Persistant posts will be hidden.
Thanks,
Eds
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It seems others are of the same opinion........ |
| by |
2007-07-18 11:55 AM +0800 |
Taken from: http://www.voteclimate.org.au/FED07-Greens-dump-staffer
Greens dump staffer and turn back on Anti Nuclear protesters
Green's WA Senator, Rachael Siewert, in a appalling example of misguided electioneering has asked one of her key staffers, Nicola Paris to resign.
Nicola was involved in last Fridays peaceful protest at Federal Science Minister's Julie Bishop office which only became violent when police started attacking protesters without provocation.
Instead of highlighting the injustices of the nuclear industry, and defending the actions of the protesters and condemning the brutal police violence, Senator Siewert has demanded her staffer's resignation.
In a twist of irony Senator Siewert had spoken three day before at the 2007 Students of Sustainability conference being held at Murdoch University in a forum titled "Silencing of Dissent", and it would seem despite her views expressed at this forum she is happy to be one of the silencers.
The protest was organised in an effort to deliver a letter of protest over a proposed nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory and was supported by anti nuclear campaigners and by participants from the Student of Sustainability conference.
Senator Siewert's action flies in the face of Green's commitment to non violent protest, opposition to uranium mining, industrial relation policies, support of grassroots movements, and importantly the support of one of their own who did nothing more than attend a peaceful protest.
Senator Siewert's actions have also by inference supported police claims that the violence was initiated by the protesters, a terrible insult to all those who were involved in the peaceful action and experienced the police brutality.
For example see how Siewert's response was reported in the Australian.
"Greens' staffer sacked over violent protest
A GREENS Senator has asked for the resignation of a member of her staff involved in a violent protest at federal Science Minister Julie Bishop's Perth office.
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said she was distraught to learn that a staffer attended the protest last Friday, at which a police officer and an anti-nuclear protester sustained head injuries.
Five protesters were arrested, with four charged with disorderly conduct and one with assaulting a public officer.
"I did not know the staff member intended to participate, or that such a protest would take place," Senator Siewert said.
"I have asked for the resignation of the member of staff involved.
"The Greens do not condone violence in any form.""
And reading the report in the Australia it would possible to conclude Senator Siewert is more concerned with the welfare of Julie Bishop than the protesters or her own staffer (see below).
"Senator Siewert said she had told Ms Bishop's office of her decision and conveyed her concern "for her and her staff that such a fracas took place in her office".
"I hope to speak with the minister to personally convey my concern at the earliest possible opportunity," she said."
Source The Australian
We have seen Green's involved in dirrect and controversial actions since we saw Bob Brown getting violently dragged through the forest as part of the Franklin blockade, to Ben Oquist confronting the Chinese embassy, to Bob Brown's and Kerry Nettle's response to the visit of George Bush etc etc.
Julie Bishop is certainly worthy of protest action as she supports the imposition of a nuclear waste dump on the Australia people using aboriginal land.
The Greens should realise a poor decision of judgment has been made, appologise to Nicola Paris and those involved in the action and withdraw the request for Nicola to resign and get on with the job of being Green.
If not Siewert should consider her position as a Greens member and resign from the party.
Send a message to Senator Siewert: senator.siewert@aph.gov.au
See also:
Original Post on Vote Climate
The Australian "Greens' staffer sacked over violent protest"
Senator Siewert's Webpage
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"Apparently a nice cop talked to the kids afterwards to assure the kids not all cops hit people. " |
| by Jerome |
2007-07-18 9:48 PM +0800 |
That's nice.
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"Harden the fuck up" |
| by Jerome |
2007-07-19 6:45 AM +0800 |
I've heard that alot lately. Maybe coz I've just recently re-entered the mainstream with work. It's a highly insensitive and ignorant thing to say.
In my mind it indicates apathy and ignorance rather than a willingness to face the issues. Try doing what we do rather than running away from the issues and tell me that we are not strong.
I was not there but I imagine the letter was only one aspect of the protest. The numbers are usually a means of showing the resistance to the issue at hand.
Geez! So much criticism from people who are judgeing from such a distance with no knowledge of what is actually going on.
I don't get upset when it's obvious that people are ignorant and don't care to inform themselves. It's just annoying.
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Greens = tories with windmills |
| by redmarkerman |
2007-07-20 11:54 AM +0800 |
All very ironic since the ALP shafting good activists was one of the reasons why the Greens were set up.
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Greens = tories with windmills |
| by redmarkerman |
2007-07-20 11:56 AM +0800 |
Petra Kelly must be turning over in her grave
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Open Letter to Senator Siewert from UK Green |
| by Jim Jay |
2007-07-21 1:25 AM +0800 |
Dear Senator Siewert,
my name is Jim Jepps and I'm a member of the Green Party of England and Wales. I'm writing to express my concern about recent events that have led to one of your staff members, Nicola Paris, being asked to resign.
Whilst I have no wish to meddle in the affairs of a sister party, as a trade unionist it is difficult for me to stand by and watch as someone is effectively sacked for taking part in a political protest against the dumping of nuclear waste in the Northern Territories.
Nicola may have been arrested but as far as I'm aware she has not been convicted of any crime, let alone a crime that a radical politician could possibly object to. Non-violent direct action has a long and noble tradition in our movement and you must be aware as any of us of that the use of violence by the police is no sure indicator that force was necessary or justified.
Nicola has done nothing to be ashamed of and it behooves those of us who stand for a better society to stand by our friends and allies rather than throw them to the wolves when times get difficult. Nobody is served well by a fair weather friend and likewise it is important for those who share common cause to raise our concerns where they occur, with respect and an open mind.
We all make mistakes and though it can be hard sometimes to admit it to ourselves, let alone the outside world, it is not too late to try to repair some of the damage this decision has done and hold out your hand once again to Nicola Paris - someone for whom we owe a debt of gratitude for her courage.
Jim Jepps
http://jimjay.blogspot.com
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global fascism |
| by graham |
2007-08-09 12:33 PM +0800 |
My son who is a flinders uni student and I were at SOS07 and thus I ended up at Bishop's office on fri 13. The last demo I went to was a viet war moratorium, so I'm not surprised by police brutality per se, but what I witnessed here was extreme and completely unprovoked. Peopl had not the slightest chance to leave before the batons came out. We were harmless and defenceless, and a man I was with had his arm broken. His injury is unrecorded as he wished to preserve his anonimity.
Put in the context of Howards uranium and nuclear waste policies, the loss of Aust's sovereignty in the 'free' trade agreement, the aversion of the press to dissent and the unholy alliance of govt, law enforcement, business and media,it is clear that the global fascist state is already up and running.
I wish SOS07 would collate all photo evidence.
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1984 |
| by Kafka |
2007-08-09 12:37 PM +0800 |
Almost ALL the cameras at the demo were confiscated.
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