ID :
213198
Fri, 10/28/2011 - 12:52
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/213198
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CHOGM protesters camp out despite warning
SYDNEY (AAP) - Oct 28 - A showdown between police and protesters outside the Commonwealth leaders' meeting in Perth seems to be looming, with a group of hardcore demonstrators pledging to occupy the city overnight.
While a protest march of about 500 people ended peacefully, more than 100 "Occupy Perth" demonstrators vowed to camp in Forrest Place overnight, despite warnings from the police, the WA government and the City of Perth that they would be moved on.
Protest organisers warned demonstrators that police could use violence to remove them, referring to earlier clashes in Melbourne and Sydney.
By mid-afternoon on Friday, the Perth protesters had set up tents and formed a protective cordon in Forrest Place, shouting, "This is not a police state. We have the right to demonstrate."
Police watched passively as the protesters prepared for the overnight sit-in.
Earlier on Friday, a protest march in Perth ended peacefully after demonstrators staged a sit-in when police blocked them from approaching the Commonwealth leaders' meeting venue.
About 500 marchers walked from Forrest Chase to the end of Hay Street Mall on Friday to be told at about 12.10pm (WST) they could not proceed along William Street to the summit venue.
A steel fence was across the street and around 30 riot squad officers stood waiting 100 metres further on.
Marchers, representing a wide range of protest movements, then sat down in the street chanting "we have the right to demonstrate".
After about 40 minutes of chanting, watched over by police officers on horseback and foot, the protesters marched peacefully back to Forrest Chase.
There, officials had already instructed protest stallholders to dismantle their stalls.
Occupy Perth protesters planned to occupy Forrest Chase for the three days of CHOGM in a protest against global corporate greed.
About 20 different groups are protesting, with issues including Tamils calling for the Sri Lankan prime minister - a CHOGM delegate - to be sent home, Aboriginal land rights, indigenous deaths in custody, the "Occupy" movement against corporate greed, gay rights and workers' rights.
Police wearing jackets emblazoned with "Evidence Gathering Unit" are videoing the protesters.
While a protest march of about 500 people ended peacefully, more than 100 "Occupy Perth" demonstrators vowed to camp in Forrest Place overnight, despite warnings from the police, the WA government and the City of Perth that they would be moved on.
Protest organisers warned demonstrators that police could use violence to remove them, referring to earlier clashes in Melbourne and Sydney.
By mid-afternoon on Friday, the Perth protesters had set up tents and formed a protective cordon in Forrest Place, shouting, "This is not a police state. We have the right to demonstrate."
Police watched passively as the protesters prepared for the overnight sit-in.
Earlier on Friday, a protest march in Perth ended peacefully after demonstrators staged a sit-in when police blocked them from approaching the Commonwealth leaders' meeting venue.
About 500 marchers walked from Forrest Chase to the end of Hay Street Mall on Friday to be told at about 12.10pm (WST) they could not proceed along William Street to the summit venue.
A steel fence was across the street and around 30 riot squad officers stood waiting 100 metres further on.
Marchers, representing a wide range of protest movements, then sat down in the street chanting "we have the right to demonstrate".
After about 40 minutes of chanting, watched over by police officers on horseback and foot, the protesters marched peacefully back to Forrest Chase.
There, officials had already instructed protest stallholders to dismantle their stalls.
Occupy Perth protesters planned to occupy Forrest Chase for the three days of CHOGM in a protest against global corporate greed.
About 20 different groups are protesting, with issues including Tamils calling for the Sri Lankan prime minister - a CHOGM delegate - to be sent home, Aboriginal land rights, indigenous deaths in custody, the "Occupy" movement against corporate greed, gay rights and workers' rights.
Police wearing jackets emblazoned with "Evidence Gathering Unit" are videoing the protesters.
