One arrest as police almost outnumber protesters
By Juan-Carlo Tomas
April 2 2003, 12:58 PM
A 15-year-old boy was arrested at the start of today's anti-war student
rally where police almost outnumbered the young protesters.
All exits from Town Hall Square were blocked, as police acted to prevent
the protest moving through the city centre.
By 2pm the official protest had ended peacefully, with no serious
incidents.
Police had earlier told the protesters to stay put or face arrest.
Police negotiator John O'Reilly announced the warning via a loudspeaker
to the group which grew to around 200 people.
"Please understand any attempt to march from Town Hall Square will
result in people being arrested," he said.
"If you remain in Town Hall Square and maintain a peaceful protest
your protest will not be interfered with by police."
A much smaller crowd than at last week's violent Books Not Bombs protest
was outnumbered by an extremely heavy police presence, including riot
police and helicopters.
Last week thirteen protesters were arrested after scuffles with police.
Today's protestors held up pictures of dead Iraqi civilians, and signs
saying "We are peaceful, war is not".
Protesters burnt an American flag to chants of "What about the
children of Iraq".
Organisers handed out leaflets telling demonstrators what to do if they
were arrested and placed peace monitors between protesters and two lines
of police blocking George Street.
"I'm against the war, and I've been to every protest," said
monitor Linda Cameron, 55. "I'm here today to try and stop any
provocation on both parts. If I can stop violence and stop police
attacking the protesters I'll be successful. I'm here as a buffer.
Scores of operational support group officers and police from at least 12
local area commands were positioned around Sydney's Town Hall watching
about 200 students chanting "no racism, no war".
Shortly before noon (AEST) the 15-year-old boy was arrested and taken to
the Sydney Police Centre.
Police confirmed the youth was taken in for questioning over an incident
captured on video at last Wednesday's violent Sydney protest.
The boy's cousin and a small group of other males screamed and ran at
police as the student was taken away.
The situation was quickly calmed by the many adult peace monitors.
http://smh.com.au/articles/2003/04/02/1048962799611.html
