[Australia] Occupy Melbourne: Riot Police drag protesters from city square, stand-off in Occupy Sydn - Polidicks

[img]http://media.news.com.au/cs/newscomau/v2/_shared/base/css/images/icons/homepage-title.png[/img] Source: [url]http://www.news.com.au/top-stories/occupy-melbourne-riot-police-drag-protesters-from-city-square/story-e6frfkp9-1226172791776[/url] [img]http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/10/21/1226173/056134-occupy-melboure-protester-dragged-away.jpg[/img] [I]Occupy Melboure protester dragged away by riot police in the City Square. Picture: Andrew Brownbill[/I] [release][B]IN Melbourne the police came in on horseback and riot gear, dragging anti-capitalism protesters one by one from their CBD camps.[/B] As Occupy Group reinforcements arrived and ugly scuffles broke out, police also brought in back-up. Meanwhile in Sydney, the protesters remain, making demands for tents and gardens and stinking out city workers. Sydney businesses have called for the protest "shanty town" to be removed from Martin Place, saying it shrinks to as few as 20 during the day but swells at night. There are no immediate plans to move the Sydney group on, with Police Minister Mike Gallacher's spokesman saying the protest remained peaceful and would continue to be monitored. In contrast, Victoria Police Commissioner Stephen Fontana said the protesters had had "more than ample time to make their point". About 100 people yesterday defied an order to leave the City Square camp by 9am and about 12.30pm police began dragging people away. Mr Fontana denied officers had used excessive force amid reports some had used choke holds on protesters. "It's very difficult to move in and separate people who don't want to move," he said. About 20 protesters and two officers suffered minor injuries and eight police cars were damaged in the clashes, which blocked major city intersections and public transport for most of the day. Police arrested at least 50 people but had to boost their ranks to more than 400 as protest numbers swelled to about 500 as word of the plan to evict them spread. Protesters promised more disruption today, tweeting plans to storm Flinders St Station as crowds head to the Cox Plate and threatening to target Queen Elizabeth's visit next week. What do you think should happen to the protesters? Tell us below Sydney Business Chamber CEO Patricia Forsythe said the Martin Place protesters had made their point and "it's time to go home or move to a more appropriate location with facilities suitable for a long-term protest". She added that city workers and visitors were being put off "by the sights and smells of a long protest". Occupy Sydney is planning a "family friendly" rally today and expects thousands of people to converge on Martin Place to protest greed. A spokeswoman said those camping out in Martin Place were "the tip of the iceberg" of the Occupy movement. [/release]

The Victorian Police force as a lot of issues it needs to iron out. I mean the commissioner has been in the news a lot lately about certain issues. Also love how the sydney police force are being supportive and respectful about the occupy sydney protest.

There's a few videos on the source, but this looks like the best one to see what was actually happening [url]http://video.news.com.au/2157468584/Occupy-Melbourne-protest-chaos[/url]

Wow what a corrupt and oppressive nation that doesn't allow it's citizens to protest.

Wow absolute chaos, makes the NY ones look like nothing. [editline]21st October 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=lulzbocksV2;32890490]Wow what a corrupt and oppressive nation that doesn't allow it's citizens to protest.[/QUOTE] What?

[QUOTE=-n3o-;32890491]What?[/QUOTE] Your nation is oppressive and it arrests peaceful protestors.

[QUOTE=lulzbocksV2;32890608]Your nation is oppressive and it arrests peaceful protestors.[/QUOTE] So does your country, also that's just Melbourne the Sydney protest seems to be going very peaceful.

[QUOTE=-n3o-;32890658]So does your country, also that's just Melbourne the Sydney protest seems to be going very peaceful.[/QUOTE] I'm not American I'm from Britain.

[QUOTE=lulzbocksV2;32890692]I'm not American I'm from Britain.[/QUOTE] Facepunch says otherwise.

[QUOTE=-n3o-;32890790]Facepunch says otherwise.[/QUOTE] Just cause Facepunch says in he's in america, doesn't mean he comes from america. [B]EDIT:[/B] Maybe I said that strange, yes, it does mean he is in america, but if I moved to france, the little flag would be a french one.

We're getting off topic here...

[QUOTE=lulzbocksV2;32890692]I'm not American I'm from Britain.[/QUOTE] Then our nation is still somewhat part of your nation. also [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttgwxWwJwHU[/media] [editline]22nd October 2011[/editline] I went into Uni earlier today and there was nothing to be seen. [editline]22nd October 2011[/editline] The guy getting dragged at 0.42 in OP's video is from the ~rebel~ marxists on my campus I'd recognize that stupid hat anywhere [editline]22nd October 2011[/editline] So is the one at 0.55

I wonder what would happen if the Occupy Movement protested in Pyongyang? I'd imagine the North Korean government would do little more than stare at them angrily. Yeah.

[QUOTE=LiquidNazgul;32891222]I wonder what would happen if the Occupy Movement protested in Pyongyang? I'd imagine the North Korean government would do little more than stare at them angrily. Yeah.[/QUOTE] Off to the salt mines with them.

The Occupy protests overseas are making our protesters AND our cops look like pussies.

I was there when shit started going down. The council arrived at 7am along with several police (including riot police) and gave everyone only 2 hours to pack up everything and leave. Absolutely ridiculous that they'd send in the riot police without warning for a *peaceful* protest. I stood by them because of this. I was one of the ones chain-linked around one of the tents. I watched as the protester to my left get beaten senseless by a scumbag cop (who conveniently wasn't wearing a name badge). He kneed him in the leg several times, and elbowed him in the face and back of the head many times as well. Saw a few cops punching protesters as well when they forced everyone into the streets.

[QUOTE=MisterMooth;32896450]I was there when shit started going down. The council arrived at 7am along with several police (including riot police) and gave everyone only 2 hours to pack up everything and leave. Absolutely ridiculous that they'd send in the riot police without warning for a *peaceful* protest. I stood by them because of this. I was one of the ones chain-linked around one of the tents. I watched as the protester to my left get beaten senseless by a scumbag cop (who conveniently wasn't wearing a name badge). He kneed him in the leg several times, and elbowed him in the face and back of the head many times as well. Saw a few cops punching protesters as well when they forced everyone into the streets.[/QUOTE] God damn, bit of an over-reaction by the cops. How long did it all go on for?

[QUOTE=lulzbocksV2;32890490]Wow what a corrupt and oppressive nation that doesn't allow it's citizens to protest.[/QUOTE] If this was country wide, I'd agree with you - but it's not. As far as the occupy protests go, this is an isolated incident here in Australia. Occupy Sydney was completely peaceful.

[QUOTE=Noth;32900734]God damn, bit of an over-reaction by the cops. How long did it all go on for?[/QUOTE] We were all finally forced out of the square at around... 1pm? We were waiting around for a few hours while the police took down and destroyed everything around us. Other cops kept a circle around us until it finally became time to close in and remove us. The square was locked down in those hours so nobody could get in, but support built up on the outside. Hundreds were protesting outside the gates, which built up as several different trade unions started calling in voicing their support and sending in more people for the rally. They forced us all out onto the streets, and that's when it all became hectic. I left at around 5pm, while it was still going strong. It would have lasted the whole day.

I have an Occupy in my city, which isn't even that big. I think I might and go participate.

[QUOTE=MisterMooth;32900918]We were all finally forced out of the square at around... 1pm? We were waiting around for a few hours while the police took down and destroyed everything around us. Other cops kept a circle around us until it finally became time to close in and remove us. The square was locked down in those hours so nobody could get in, but support built up on the outside. Hundreds were protesting outside the gates, which built up as several different trade unions started calling in voicing their support and sending in more people for the rally. They forced us all out onto the streets, and that's when it all became hectic. I left at around 5pm, while it was still going strong. It would have lasted the whole day.[/QUOTE] Yeah, I was kind of surprised at how many unions were involved (given their lack of protesting things in the past)

[QUOTE=MisterMooth;32900918]We were all finally forced out of the square at around... 1pm? We were waiting around for a few hours while the police took down and destroyed everything around us. Other cops kept a circle around us until it finally became time to close in and remove us. The square was locked down in those hours so nobody could get in, but support built up on the outside. Hundreds were protesting outside the gates, which built up as several different trade unions started calling in voicing their support and sending in more people for the rally. They forced us all out onto the streets, and that's when it all became hectic. I left at around 5pm, while it was still going strong. It would have lasted the whole day.[/QUOTE] Awesome to hear that support was large even when the police were cracking down on it.

it's cause the queen's coming wednesday right? i want to see shit absofuckinglutely swing on wednesday [editline]22nd October 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=lulzbocksV2;32890608]Your nation is oppressive and it arrests peaceful protestors.[/QUOTE] here in public, you have no right to free speech or privacy unlike america, Australia doesn't actually claim to be land of the free

[QUOTE=bye;32901610]here in public, you have no right to free speech or privacy unlike america, Australia doesn't actually claim to be land of the free[/QUOTE] It should still be just as important for people to have freedom, no matter where they live.

[IMG]http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/10/21/1226173/056134-occupy-melboure-protester-dragged-away.jpg[/IMG] RAPE, RAPE OH RAPE

[url]http://elomis.tumblr.com/post/11515605531/dont-occupy-sydney[/url] I like this as a good reason Occupy Melbourne/Sydney is fucking stupid. America and to an extent Britain's protests are very valid (as well as Europe that I'm less familiar with), but I just can't agree with Australia's. However the anti police brutality protests are necessary.

[QUOTE=Mlisen14;32903113][url]http://elomis.tumblr.com/post/11515605531/dont-occupy-sydney[/url] I like this as a good reason Occupy Melbourne/Sydney is fucking stupid. America and to an extent Britain's protests are very valid (as well as Europe that I'm less familiar with), but I just can't agree with Australia's. However the anti police brutality protests are necessary.[/QUOTE] Mostly, the only people with a legitimate 'occupy' rationale are aboriginals.

I'm actually stunned at how violent the police seem to have been for what should have been a peaceful protest. I'm well aware of police brutality, but I didn't think they would be [i]that[/i] quick to resort to violence. I disagree with the original Australian protests for the most part, but I am entirely in support of the anti-police brutality protests.

[QUOTE=fruxodaily;32903081][IMG]http://resources2.news.com.au/images/2011/10/21/1226173/056134-occupy-melboure-protester-dragged-away.jpg[/IMG] RAPE, RAPE OH RAPE[/QUOTE] "But Dad, I wanna go protest economic issues!" "No, Jeremy, we have to go get you a haircut today. It's been almost 3 weeks since your last one!"

I love how some reporters call these protests "anti-capitalist", it just goes to show that there's a disappointingly small number of people outside the protests who actually know WHAT and WHY they're protesting.