Climate change protesters have clashed with police in violent scenes outside an international mining conference in Melbourne.
Key points:
- Protesters were arrested for alleged offences including failing to obey police directions and assaulting a police horse
- Two police officers and a protester were taken to hospital for treatment
- Protesters accused officers of violent tactics, but police defended their actions as in line with training
Police arrested 47 people outside the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, where the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is being held this week.
About 250 demonstrators were met by more than 300 police at the venue on the Yarra River.
Police used pepper spray on some protesters, and used horses to force the demonstrators away from the entrances to the building.
Victoria Police Acting Commander Tim Tully said the majority of arrests were for offences relating to failing to obey police directions or intentionally obstructing emergency workers and the footpath.
Two people were arrested for assaulting a police horse.
PHOTO: Protest leaders accused police of “aggressive and intimidating” tactics.
(AAP: James Ross)
Acting Commander Tully said four officers were injured while making arrests, and two of them were taken to hospital for a dislocated finger and minor head injuries.
A female demonstrator was also taken to hospital. Acting Commander Tully said officers were investigating if she was injured by a police horse.
PHOTO: Paramedics took an injured woman to the Alfred Hospital. (ABC News: Stephanie Ferrier)
A protester, Paul, said the woman, a 23-year-old from Chile, was injured when a police horse backed onto her.
“I was standing beside her, one of the police officers had sprayed me, then threw her back away from me, and then the horse reared up and stepped on both of her legs,” he said.
“Both legs have been broken, definitely — she’s got no feeling in her legs, she can’t move her toes.”
Authorities have not confirmed her injuries.
PHOTO: The protesters’ aim is to shut down the conference. (AAP: James Ross)
Another man was treated at the scene for a cut to his head.
Acting Commander Tully defended the actions of officers and said any action taken today was “appropriate” and “in line with training”.
“We’ve shown a hell of a lot of discretion, a hell of lot of tolerance,” he said.
Video taken by protesters and published on Twitter showed an officer using a baton on protesters but Acting Commander Tully said he was not aware of any officer using the weapon.
Protests are expected to continue throughout the week and police warned people to avoid the area until the mining conference ends on Thursday.
PHOTO: Officers used pepper spray to disperse demonstrators. (AAP: James Ross)
Emma Black, a spokeswoman for the Blockade IMARC alliance, said police had employed “some incredibly aggressive and intimidating tactics” in response to the protesters.
“We’re the non-violent ones. The police have been incredibly violent this morning,” Ms Black said.
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“Some of my friends have been thrown to the ground, people that were just standing around doing nothing.”
She said the protesters belonged to more than 20 organisations and included unionists, environmentalists and animal rights activists.
“Our aim is to shut down the conference, to stop mining executives and investors getting into the building, and so far I think we’re doing a good job of that.
“We’re making noise, we’re getting the voice out there.”
Conference organisers said the event brought people together to “share knowledge and exchange ideas related to innovation, sustainability, safety and job creation”.
“IMARC is aware of protestors at the conference,” it said in a statement issued yesterday.
“We work in an inclusive industry and we welcome a diverse spectrum of views at the forum.
“Just as those outside have the right to protest peacefully, the 7000 experts from across the globe have the right to meet to discuss meaningful, achievable ways to make mining safer, more sustainable and beneficial to communities around the world.”
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack described the protesters’ behaviour as “disgraceful”, saying they were merely craving media attention.
“They absolutely want to have their Facebook and social media statuses updated by this sort of thing,” he told ABC News Breakfast.
“Mining and resources provide a lot of money, particularly for the welfare payments a lot of those people are no doubt on.”
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One of the conference attendees, Alex Arbuthnot, a dairy farmer from Sale, said the protesters should not block access to the venue.
“Everybody’s entitled to their protest,” he said.
“When I was a student I protested too. All I want to know is how do I get into the conference. They have their right to protest but they should not blockade.
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“I come from a town where our top farmers and miners have worked side by side for 50 years, and my sons and daughters work in the mining companies.”
Conference attendees were later able to enter the venue.
Earlier, protesters blocked traffic outside the venue on Clarendon Street.
Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien called for the reintroduction of police move-on powers to stop what he described as “protesters taking over Melbourne”.
Mr O’Brien said protests were becoming a daily occurrence in the city and he felt sorry for people who were just trying to get to work.
“They [move-on powers] were important powers that gave police the flexibility to let people protest of course, but also keep Melbourne moving,” Mr O’Brien said.
Source: ABC News Australia
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