I got punched in the ear today. By a cop.
Jesus, violent assault becoming a bit of a theme here, isn’t it?
Anyway, I’m not a troublemaker. I’m a suburban high school teacher. I’m no radical. I’m a politics nerd, a West Wing fan. I am extremely fond of capitalism. I like stuff. I’m materialistic. I think our democracy is considerably more healthy than many of our international cousins. I make a point of letting the kids I teach know that our system is a great one, that we should protect it. Laws? They’re ace. I nearly voted Liberal once or twice. Still might, if the bigoted, zealots get the nudge.
I have my Trot tendencies, but they’re cast aside at the thought of getting my hands on the latest iPhone.
I’m not gonna lie. I’d be a hipster douchebag, but I’m too chunky.
Point is, I’m not a radical, not matter what some middle-aged woman on the #auspol hashtag will try to tell you. I am totally, completely, exquisitely normal. Middle of the road.
So when I found myself in the Swanston and Bourke intersection, facing off against a wall of police, both mounted and on foot, you can bet I was on the verge of soiling myself.
I was there because I’d watch those protesters who’d opted to stick around the Occupy Melbourne campsite be fenced in by council workers before having their butts handed to them by the Victoria Police, on the orders of Lord Mayor Robert Doyle. I thought what I saw showed an exceptionally heavy hand, a lack of judgement and disdain for the right for Victorians to peacefully protest.
Having written about the protest throughout the week, sometimes critically, I felt that I needed to see it through to the end.
So, this afternoon, after school – yes, I have a job, thankyouverymuch – I wandered down Swanston Street. The street was lined with police cars, vans and trucks. Around them, uniformed offices milled, directing pedestrians away from the cordon they’d set up, blocking the street.
I crossed the street and walked up the street until I got to the major intersection, where a crowd of about 500 had gathered. I recognized many from the previous days, with a healthy couple of hundred newly arrived. They weren’t all crusty punks and trustafarians though. Many wore business attire and seemed fresh from their desks in city offices. It was more diverse crowd than had been at City Square all week.
After a couple of minutes of aimless milling and a little drum circle work in the middle, we were told that the police were going to make their move, and we were to all move together, hands on shoulders, as one away from them, up towards the State Library.
Well, no turning back now.
As the police moved forwards, I noticed the fellows in front weren’t wearing name badges. Now, this was concerning. See, a couple of years ago the S11 protests resulted in a lot of people getting very badly hurt by the police. At the time, police were seen taking off their badges before the violence flared, so they couldn’t be identified in committing violent acts. In the aftermath, police were widely criticized for this practice. Since then, in negotiations with police, Victorian protest organizers have always sought assurance that any officer involved in breaking up a demonstration is wearing their badge.
So, yeah, that worried me.
The police began by walking forward in their cordon, beginning with the customary ‘Move! Move!’, and the crowd slowly reacted, moving back slowly. I was about three or four people from the back, but as some smaller guys and girls trickled back through the crowd to prevent themselves being shoved. At first it seemed that they’d be given the command to move forward for thirty seconds before stopping, but as we continued, slowly, up the street, the intervals lessened. People became more and more cramped.
All through this, the protesters heckled the crowd. Nothing too inflammatory, more the kind of ‘Why are you doing this? Join us!’ fluff you get from some. There was no oinking, no claims of brutality. Hell, it was almost good-natured. Me? I kept my damn fool mouth shut, except to repeat ‘Easy….easy…easy….’ over and over again. I focused on taking pictures of the wave of police shoving us back and making sure I didn’t lose my backpack.
I’m not sure when things first started to get ugly. I think the first I noticed was a redheaded guy, gangly, thin – looked like a member of Belle & Sebastian – get plucked from the line by police, punched a few times and thrown back into a second line of police.
That got a reaction from the crowd.
With cries of ‘police brutality’, the crowd quickened its pace backwards and got tighter and more compact as we approached the Lonsdale Street intersection. A bloke with a particularly expensive-looking DSLR had it snatched from him by a police officer as he took pictures of them. It disappeared into the cordon.
Those up the front screamed as they approached the busy intersection and we up the back were pushed right up against the police. Someone yelled ‘capsicum spray!’ and panic rippled along the line. The police seemed to take this as a signal to pull certain individuals from the crowd – a dude next to me with a ponytail, another wearing a helmet. The guy next to me started mouthing off, yelling that this was ‘******* disgusting!’ and a police officer in front of me threw a punch at him, missing. He turned towards me, quite distinctly and threw another one, landing on my ear. From there, the police began throwing punches and driving the protesters forward at a faster pace
I spotted some open footpath. With an aching ear and absolutely whacked-out on adrenalin, I tumbled from the crowd and sat on a bench as I watched them being driven up Lonsdale Street by the assembled police. Eventually I rang my fiancee and started on my way home.
I’ll admit, I was terrified. It’s been five hours and I’m still rather disturbed by what I saw.
I’ve always respected the Victoria Police. I still do. They’re there to do a job, they’re pretty good at it – though not infallible – and I think they’re a fine tool of the state.
Until now, I’d never seen that tool used like this, used so heavy-handedly. This was a group of non-violent protesters that could have been contained and eventually dispersed if the police hadn’t arrived first thing in the morning to take down the Occupy Melbourne site in riot gear and with ‘kettling‘ tactics. Riot cops weren’t needed. Mounted police weren’t needed. All were thrown in the mix by a Lord Mayor desperate not to have the eyesore of a few tents when the Queen arrives.
It was an amateur, foolish tactic.
Hell, you know what? The police deserve better.
I think a lot of people saw what happened today and have realized that there’s something rotten in the state of Victoria. Our public resources are being used in an inefficient and autocratic manner. We’re being not so much governed, as ruled in some degrees. You’re going to see crowds tomorrow at Flinders Street station testing how hard those in power are willing to come down.
Congratulations Robert Doyle, you’ve divided the city. You’ve radicalized some and made others even more contemptuous of a legal, democratic gathering.
The next few weeks will be very interesting. This isn’t over.
* * *
On the subject of contempt, I’m staggered at the number of people who cheered or expressed glee when I tweeted that I’d been hit. At the risk of sounding preachy or sanctimonious, let me get this straight: nobody deserves a smack in the head solely for expressing or standing behind an idea. Nobody.
We live in a cold, unfeeling, aggressive society. If you express delight at someone getting smacked for defending an ideal, you are a small, small, sad individual. What’s more, you’re party of the problem.
Grow a spine.
Fuck me Mike. That sounds dreadful. You poor bastard. You aren’t giving me many reasons to move back to Aus you know.
Or you know, woman up… or even my preferred… grow up.
Just to say I read this.
and you’re right, nobody deserves that kind of violence, or to have their gear stolen.
I hope your ear is better.
Nice to read an honest report. Sorry about your ear. I guess it shows that the people higher up are starting to feel a bit threatened by the Occupy movement – rightfully so. Revolution is now
This is an example of what these people demonstrate.
Thanks for your honest account. Good thoughts and heart go to your ear and your over frazzled chemistry.
Mike, thank you for sharing your experience. I can’t imagine what it was like to be there. My concerns are that we have given our police the power to behave like this. Its time we tool back that power. We are the 99%. Rebecca, how long can you hide behind a quick laugh I wonder? This is real, police are there to maintain the broken system, they are not peace officers, they are not our friends, as long as they report to the corporate sponcered government.
To be fair, a police officer once returned my stolen bike, scratching the roof of his own personal car in the process. He is the 99% too. As are all the police who patrol the streets to stop drink drivers, deter assaults and violent crimes, and the myriad of other things that make me feel safe in my community. I beg you, and everyone else, not to turn this movement into nothing more than a battle with the police.
This morning, when I walked up to the protest, I ran into the cop who is investigating an assault on me that happened on public transport. I told him I was glad he was there, and that the boys were doing a good job.
They’re just a tool, and that tool is being used improperly.
Bern, my comment was in relation to the sexist comment that Mike had made, and has now corrected.
I was pointing out that the comment was sexist and suggesting alternatives. Mike fixed it, it’s all good.
Thanks for the story. :=)
Thanks for all your work, both tweeting and blogging on this sad and shameful affair Mike.
It takes both courage and skill to front up to the real world event, while keeping your head, as so many around you lose theirs. Kudos!
As for the keyboard slaggers………Stuff em!
I saw the videos today mate. What I saw was disgusting and poor use of police power.
Australia is one of the many countries that are usually different and normally deal with problems in a different manner — but today the Victorian Police Force showed their true colours and made it quite clear that they are no different to the rest of the world. Where is the aussie spirit?
Just remember: “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
Glad to hear you’re okay.
Is it legal for otherwise-uniformed officers of the law to remove their name badges?
I don’t know if its’ illegal, but the night before, the policeman in charge gave promised us on video that officers would NOT be failing to display identification, and if they did, we should get evidence on film and submit it to him for disciplinary action. Whether or not this will be followed through with is up in the air.
So you joined the protesters because you had to see it through to the end.
The protesters were told to leave and they decided to stay as an organized group. Civil disobedience was not part of the protester’s charter. The Occupymelbourne.org group, the group that were the organizers behind the movement, made it clear in their meeting minutes that if they were told to leave they would. But if you as an individual decided to stay that would be an individual choice.
They broke their own rules and lost the support of the general public. You are a fool for joining them and you deserved your clip around the ear hole.
If Mike deserved a punch to the ear for being a member of the public in a public place, we’re all in trouble.
Mike got a punch because he thought he was doing the right thing by joining these individual.
I was there, in the public place, I cheered for the police. I didn’t get a punch, why is that?
Richard, people like you are so naive its just sad. If you’re perfectly happy with good economic freedoms but low political freedoms, go move to Beijing or something. Australia deserves better than you.
It’s a perfect example of ‘trampling the daisies’ without a thought of the weeds that will grow in their place. All it does is prove a point for your opposition.
I hope your ear is ok now Mike! I’m sorry you had such a nasty experience and I totally appreciate your support for me, my family, community and people of the world. Thank you! and please take care!
Ps…we can deal with them over the net too 24/7
Well Done! I appreciate and will share your story with as many people as I can.
A Sad day for Vic police for all to see, their Violence will just breed violence.
I hope your ear is ok, ice pack will help
Ali D
I saw the footage of the police, fantastic advertising for Melbourne! To Tourism Victoria……where was the young woman with the ball of wool ?
Ah, welcome to the disappointment that is meeting the Victorian Police Farce. If you’ve not met personally, only seen the propaganda and possibly had the odd speed camera tax before, I can well imagine today would have come as quite a shock. With more contact you’ll get over your respect of this gang who are merely your own overpaid, frequently thugish and inept employees, Or, there will be a massive shift in their culture and they’ll actually do the job citizens like yourself pay them for. (you can tell I think the former’s more likely can’t you?) I do hope your ear feels better and you go in to the city today and write of the experience -as I’ve enjoyed this entry, well penned Sir.
Well said, pretty much sums up what I saw and how I feel
Not necessarily a fan of the Occupy Melbourne group – I feel to a large degree that they’re just jumping on a bandwagon – but I don’t have to agree with the protesters to support them. It’s almost like Robert Doyle is an underground protester himself, however. How else could he have come up with a plan so well designed to prove their point? Hope you’re feeling better soon, psychologically as well as your ear.
This is what I was wondering too! Overseas police intervention in a similar manner has only strengthened the movement, so what really was his aim? He was saying that it would make the protesters look good if they peacefully left the square – but I am sure he knew that would not happen. If he wanted to end the movement, surely he would have let it ‘fizzle out’ on its own? As it is, the regrouping tomorrow is bringing far more people.
Great commentary, and thank you for bearing witness to such injustice. You are a brother of humanity for sure.
Texas, USA
That’s terrible, but at least you werent dragged away and arrested. I do hope you feel better soon.
I hope your students and their parents read this, Mike. Credit to you for not responding to the police violence with more anger.
Yesterday Doyle had a peaceful, largely ignored protest. Today he has an ongoing “situation”. I hope the police speak out against his decision. There was no reason to bring violence into this.
sounds like our democracy is an illusion, and selfish people who don’t want their day disturbed, rubbished protesters for standing up for ideals that have given them the freedoms they enjoy.
What a wonderful piece . . . until the final line. Please leave the implicit misogyny out of it!!! Enough is enough.
That’s the second I’ve comment I’ve recieved on it, so I’ll modify to ‘grow a spine’. We all have one of them.
So, is the cop that assaulted you going to face any disciplinary action?
Personally I think that if the police were doing their job they’d be hauling off the officers that assaulted members of the crowd as well.
The optimist in me is thinking that those that cheered at the report of the attack on you were doing so as it was evidence of that they see as what is wrong with the current law enforcement. At least that’s what I hope.
Great post. It is is always the same. A peaceful protest ends up violent as soon as police enter the scene, and it’s the police acting violent. Not the protesters.
You are a fucking clown. You weren’t legally allowed to occupy the land, and you refused to leave. Do you realise about 80% of the 99% want to see you fuckwits get stomped into the ground? Most of those at occupy Melbourne are unemployed. They live on benefits. Here’s a tip, you won’t get money for nothing if you bring down corporations. I hope you all get Fucked up by police again, you fucking stain on humanity.
Wow Paul. I hope your narrow perspective on life gets expanded by the facts and your clear hatred of other human beings gets healed by compassion. Hatred and rage like that only ends up perpetrating itself. You are angry at the wrong people. Luckily you are not 80 of the 99%. Nowhere close.
Tsk tsk, such anger and lack of intelligence!
1. First paragraph mentions Mike as a few things, teacher, west wing fan, materialist among a few, didn’t see “fucking clown” anywhere mentioned, fornicating or otherwise, so you’re first assumption is wrong (bet you get angry and hate being wrong /smiley)
2. This is aboriginal land, your second sentence applies to you too.
3. I spent a few minutes finding some polls, you don’t deserve more of my time than that, heres two that suggest the communtiy is about half half on this:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/thedrum/polls/
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/occupiers-brutalised-in-city-square-chaos-20111024-1meym.html
so in fact, 80% as you describe wanting “fuckwits”"stomped into the ground” is just plain false and shows you don’t really research anything you just spout froth at the corners of your mouth based on your all-encompassing stupidity.
4. By this point I ascertained that you were in fact an authority on nothing at all, don’t represent a human being who thinks for himself, educates himself, or works for the common good and progression of humankind as a species. Hence it is you who are a stain on humanity, a representation of what humankind needs to start diverting away from.
(I hope you see this, can’t wait for the entertainment value in your aggressive and uneducated response)
Tony,
Firstly, good on you for attempting to apply some reason to Mr Troll’s argument here.
Having said that, I have to say I have a problem when whitefellas say “It’s Aboriginal land,” as if it justifies them being there. If the local tribal elders had asked them to move on, would they have?
I don’t think it shows any respect to our indigenous people to use them as an argument of convenience.
Here’s a tip for you Paul – you don’t get anything for nothing. So while you laze about reading the Herald Sun, there are people who are not just sitting around waiting for the shit to hit the fan, and instead trying to change things, to make lives a little bit easier.
Most of the people at Occupy Melbourne are not unemployed. I am a student and I work at least 25 hours a week, working with young people with disabilities and the homeless. People who don’t neccesarily get things handed to them on a silver platter. People who have to fight to get the mere basics that you wouldn’t even bat an eyelid at. They often don’t get those basics due to the oppressive system that we live under, and that’s not their fault.
And, for the unemployed who were at Occupy Melbourne, do you wonder why some people don’t have jobs? Some people are lazy, that’s true. But why is that? Some people are just not as lucky as you, and need to fight for things. Not just for themselves, but for anyone who wasn’t born into the happy majority.
I don’t think that people who can see things for how they are but just choose not to accept it are a ‘stain on humanity’. Maybe some people would say you are.
One day you might be as unlucky. And then you’ll realize exactly it’s all about.
Thanks for writing this Mike, have been following your accounts on Twitter. I’m in a similar demographic to you and am annoyed by the ignorant jeers. Some of us work, shop, pay taxes – and think, discuss and protest.
Hope the ear is feeling better today. See you at Fed Square!
ethical.standards@police.vic.gov.au
Thanks Mike. Well done. One doesn’t have to be a man to be courageous.
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Thank you for this story. I am a 62 year old woman and lived with this fear in the late 60s early 70s. I was also a teacher in training and hesitant to think that things were as bad as people were saying. They were that bad. We sat and watched the boys our age get conscripted by a lottery roll of the dice according to the number of the day of the month. Yes that’s right. If you had twin boys – both went.
Then I was at a demo after teachers’ college, much as you were, just observing really on the way home and saw the same things happen and was treated in much the same way. I am an extremely reluctant protester because I don’t like massed hysteria and am cowardly by nature but I REALLY don’t like injustice and lack of mercy. Things might be OK at the moment for the people who are fit and healthy and educated – but things have been almighty tough for some of us for a very long time. I, personally, have just dreaded complaining in case it made things worse. Congratulations on daring to look with an open mind. May this kind of violence leave our streets forever.
Good post Mike. Your coverage of Occupy Melbourne this week has been great to read.
High praise. Yikes. Thanks.
You put yourself in a protest that you were aware attracted the attention of police. What ever happened after that is the fault of your decision to go.
Great write up Mike. First realistic piece I’ve read on it. I shot footage in 3 sections covering your piece – part 1 and 3 are up, 2 will be live in about 2 hours; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVVDIHwDeEU (Police charge in formation and continue arrests on Swanston st – Occupy Melbourne Day 6 part 3)
Thanks Mike, I find the stereotyping of the protesters pretty frustrating, so thanks for balancing that. I’m a regular guy too and I’m behind this movement.
Is it just me that’s noticing that most of those who are cheering on harm to the protestors are the very same people that are outraged by the fact Andrew Bolt contravened the Racial Discrimination Act?
Well written, well done. I was a Vietnam Moratorium & anti-Joh Bjelke-Petersen marcher in the 60′s & 70′s. Same misuse of the police by people later proved utterly corrupt, same disproportionate violence. Needless to say, we won. But every generation has to learn the necessary distrust of power and need for vigilance.
Thanks for the story. I must admit, I find the premise of these protests uninformed to say the least. Are we seriously to believe that sitting around with no unified message is going to change everything? I saw signs regarding unemployment, redistribution of wealth and greed but there is no plan or understanding just mindless bandwagon riding and a sense of “me too”. If these people really want to help with the redistribution of wealth, they should join a scheme that makes small loans to people in third world countries or volunteer for other non for profit organisations doing good work. This is one of the richest countries on the planet, The whining of a couple of hipsters and professional achieves nothing.
Classic quote of the day: “One police officer told me that they were there to protect the peoples right to shop in the city. I’m a Masters of Human Rights Law student. I know the Human Rights Covenants inside out. There is no right to shop. There is a right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest.”
Thanks for this report, Mike. Give yourself some recovery time. <3
There is a coffee shop that stands next too were the camp was set up that for six days experienced a substantial loss in customers during the week because of the camp. This just shows you how immature the thinking behind the average protester hear was. You stuffed someones business as a result of your moronic bandwagon jumping.
Protests like this cheapen and take away from actual causes that people could get involved with. Maybe some of these people show look outwards instead of inwards.
Hi Mike, thanks for your bravery, I knew something was wrong with my country when I went to the dont invade Iraq protest in Sydney, thousands of people were there from every walk of life and the media wrote about ten, lines that it was all hippies, lazy and inaccurate reporting.
I’m warming to you..
Great summary. I wasn’t heavily involved in the occupation, but sympathise with the idea. So I was pretty shocked at the incredible police violence, and it seems you (and many others) saw far worse than me. Arresting people or moving them along is one thing, but there’s no excuse for punching people in the face whilst arresting them.
from what i understand there was a deadline that the protest movement had to disburse and leave the area. Other cultural events had to be moved or inconvenienced and move. The police had a job to disburse the crowd- the crowd would not move. Even though they may have been heavy handed –what where the police to do? Dont want to be taken out of context but how could they have disbursed the crowd when they had no intention of leaving. And what of the other groups that wanted to use the area. Melbourne is for all of us not just the vocal few. Love it or hate it we are in comparable position than the US & Europe.. to do so only takes what we have for granted. A more effective way to communicate the message is to have left peacefully and resumed your message elsewhere. Again what do you think the police where going to do? The organisers must be either naive or provocative if they didn’t see this coming. Lesson here is dont the bear. Whether its right or wrong…your going to get hurt
That sums it up quite nicely, I was also in the front lines, visiting from my day job to express my right to be heard, I had forgotten I had one. The police also used heavy handed tactics and as you say werent wearing name badges, I was wearing glasses and that was the first thing the nameless officer went for, not only this but he was making an effort to antagonise me by pushing in the face rather than the body.
I also think those who cry this is just method for dealing with peaceful protesters, one day you’ll no longer have the right to express yourself or walk on the wrong side of the footpath but it may be to late, because we will have become a sheep-less society bending to the will of the capitalist driven machine silenced by those who are there to protect the people and society.
Not a huge fan, Mike. I tend to think you are someone who is pretty self absorbed and well…a chunky hipster douchebag who overestimates our interest in your thoughts BUT this time you nailed it. Everything you wrote is absolutely true including the fact that you didn’t deserve to be hit for peaceful protest. The old saying distorted here is that whilst I’m not in love with seeing your name come up I would defend to the death your right to your thoughts. Narcisstic or otherwise. I hope you gain your bearings soon and you head back to Occupy soon.
Thanks mate. I get a bit sick of myself too, sometimes.
You have been warned! That police will be using forces to remove the campers. if you think you are above the law.. A punch to the ear is a wake up call for you.
The protesters had a week of spree demo, it is time they for them to go home. The point that they have made is valid, but the actions of occupying the city square is against the law! It is simple.
Anyway if they don’t like capitalism, how about communism?
Yes the whole World is watching and laughing. What a shame!
Police actions are justified in my view. Well done!
Mike, you turned up at a wrong time.
If you want to protest, you had a week to do so, but Friday 9:00AM was the end of that protest.
Protesters were being asked to pack up and go home, they can start another one the next day, or day after withouting occupying the city square or any other public area. Camping there for a week is a health and safety issues, in fact it is against the law to camp there.
I understanf that They still have the right to protest but they must obey the rules. Clearly you would have seen that Police were gearing up to remove these people, what do you expect? you still joined them? don’t sook! Don’t blame the police they are just doing their job.
I’m sorry, punching people is not part of the Police’s job, most definitely not!!! The fact that ANYONE feels this is right or correct shows how brainwashed some are, very sad. As someone close to 60 I’m appalled that OUR Police Force was used against us. I have no respect for the powers that be in this country, they are supposed to govern, not rule us. They are doing a poor job of governing, that is for sure. They forget who votes for them,!!
[...] In any case, the phenomenon I observed with Occupy Melbourne is that many, many progressive people who were dismissive of the event in its early stage, were “radicalised” when it became clear that the police were planning to violently evict the occupiers from City Square. Awareness of the event was generated by mayor Doyle’s decision. Sympathy was created towards the occupiers when they were subjected to unwarranted police brutality. “Mainstream” progressive people who had stood at arms length made the decision to stand …. [...]
And do you know what would have happened if the queen HAD seen the demonstrators?
She’d have said, “Look ‘ere cobber, half of England was orn fire a few months ago. You call this an unruly mob? That’s nowt! We should have it so good!”
I found out today that a friend of ours was walking past the demonstration in a suit and tie, on his way to a job interview. He stood back and watched what was going on until he saw an elderly woman on the ground who had been knocked over by the police.. He and another passer by went to help her up and shield her from being shoved any more as she was hurt…they were both seized by police and arrested. So not all who were affected by this were “protesters” or asked for it.
Just for arguments sake, I actually think that punching people IS part of the Police’s job. They are a tool, as you said, and that tool is there to uphold the law and, when necessary, to enforce it, forcefully. What you seem to misrepresent in this quite well written piece is the simple fact that you were breaking the law.
This was not a peaceful protest.
That was earlier. The people who stayed did so in a provocative manner that was directly contrary to both the law and the rules that had been set up in order to make it possible for there to be a peaceful protest. As has been said, it would have been far more effective if the protesters left when they were supposed to.
Everyone has a right to their opinion and to express it. You all had a week to do that, point has been made. I don’t agree with the occupy protests in any way shape or form, but that is beside the point. You have the right to express yourself, and you have been given it. What you did not have the right to do was to further impinge on the rest of society and business going on in Melbourne.
I salute the Victorian police in their actions here (and this is coming from someone who, by and large, hates the police force and the various misuses of power that they are capable of). In this instance they have done their job admirably, they have efficiently removed law breaking protesters and allowed the TRUE 99% to get on with their lives. Furthermore, they gave you an incentive to actually think about your actions next time, instead of simply getting on the bandwagon and expressing your sense of entitlement. Just because you have an opinion does not give you a right to flaunt the law.
Thanks for posting this Mike. The establishment always comes down hardest on those that challenge the establishment. The violence perpetrated on common folk is appalling. What’s more appalling is some people’s support of it. @Lachlan – the protest I saw was peaceful UNTIL the police started throwing punches and using strong-man tactics. Why is it always progressives that are targeted with this kind of force? There were two to three police officers for every protestor I saw in camp.
The simple fact is that Mike WASN’T breaking the law. It is NOT against the law to stand on a street and demonstrate peacefully. Check your rule book 101 mate. And the point clearly hasn’t been made because people like you STILL don’t get it.
[...] Stuchbery’s personal account of the de-Occupation of Melbourne, originally published on mike-stuchbery.com on that fateful day — October [...]
You had your time, ignored the civil requests to leave, and there is never a true response to “What did you expect was going to happen?”
That and $15,000 worth of damage is hardly peaceful.
Further, Lachlan’s post nails it.
[...] earlier in the day. (If you don’t know what I mean, please see this and this.…) Oh, and this [...]
[...] Stuchbery: Smacked Down. (Older post on the eviction but a vital [...]
[...] Stuchbery: Smacked Down. (Older post on the eviction but a vital [...]