Media Release: House Raids and arrests of G20 protestors: Defence Campaign launched in Sydney
media release…
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
House raids and arrests of G20 protesters:
Defence campaign launched in Sydney
Five people have been arrested in Sydney this morning in relation to the G20 protests in Melbourne last November.
Five houses were raided in operations involving NSW, Victorian and Federal Police. The “Police Terrorism Investigation Squad” in reportedly co-ordinating the operation.
Supporters have formed a “G20 Defence Collective”, demanding immediate release of the protestors and the dropping of all charges.
“These actions by the ‘Police Terrorism Investigation Squad’ are a gross attack on democratic rights. That these police are even being used for protest matters is outrageous.” said Paddy Gibson from the G20 Defence Collective.
“Doors were kicked in this morning and places ransacked by dozens of police. The ‘Counter Terrorism’ unit is in fact being used to terrorise young people and their families, anyone who dares to stand up against the war and poverty being inflicted on the world by the G20. We demand all charges be dropped immediately.”
“These raids follow on the heels of brutal police intimidation of protestors during recent actions against US Vice-President Dick Cheney, where we were physically stopped from demonstrating and two people were hospitalised”, said Emma Torzillo from the Sydney Stop G20 collective.
“What about the 650,000 people that Howard, Cheney and other delegates to G20 have killed in Iraq? If the police are so concerned about ‘violence’ why don’t they raid Howard’s office – he is the real terrorist”.
“People across the country are turning fast against the war and these raids are simply an attempt to intimidate those who have been most active, particularly in the lead up to Bush’s visit at the APEC summit in September”.
“We will not be intimidated. Protests are happening tomorrow and Friday morning at 8:30 outside the Downing Centre local court demanding dismissal of charges laid during Dick Cheney’s visit. We will be there also demanding and end to the house raids and charges on G20 protestors”, said Ms Torzillo.
The G20 Defence Collective will join a rallies Thursday 15th and Friday 16th March at 8:30 am outside Downing Centre Local Court demanding an end to police intimidation of protest.
For more information or media statements contact:
Paddy Gibson 0415800586 Sydney University Student Representative Council or
Emma Torzillo 0412472224 Anti-War Action Group
All of the warrants I’ve seen used this morning were applied for by a (think Melbourne-based) cop called Gary Charles Lowe from the “Terrorism Investigation Squad” (exact term on warrants)
- problematic that the Terrorism Investigation Squad is leading the raids in Sydders on protestors
- I can’t find anything on the Terrorism Investigation Squad - anyone know anything?
Comment by Administrator — March 14, 2007 @ 4:19 am
people i know have been raided this morning in sydney and charged with amongst other things, riot, affray, and aggravated burgulary which allegedly relates to actions taken against defense industries and recruitment centers in melbourne on friday of the protests. these charges were backed up with photos and police used the raids in the morning to look for clothes that matched those worn in the protests.
the arestees have been granted bail on the condition that they report to police stations every day and surrender their passport and dont talk to any witnesses… whatever that means…
they are to make their own way to melbourne on the 20th for a hearing in the melbourne magistrates court.
the arrestees that i talked to were very interested in finding out what legal action has been organised in melbourne as they are planning to use their legal aid representatives in sydney to contact legal aid in melbourne… however they believe that a united defense is possibly the strongest defense we can have and also the most empowering for everyone involved.
so when could these arestees meet or talk to the solicitors and other such representatives organising the g20 defense and is there a number they could call???
please let me know so i can pass on this message as other concerned people are unable to ask this question themselves.
united we stand!!!!!!!!!!! xxxxxxxxxxx
Comment by anon — March 14, 2007 @ 11:49 am
you can call the solidarity line; 0408 307 722.
we are having a meeting tomorrow night to work out stuff so if you want to call before then to let us know what needs to be sorted out?
Comment by anita — March 14, 2007 @ 10:12 pm
strength to you all. is there a demo at the courts ? what time and what is the exact address ?
Comment by nup — March 15, 2007 @ 10:19 pm