Community Vigil for G20 Arrestees
The Melbourne Magistrates Court was full to bursting today, and many supporters of the G20 arrestees and their family stood on the edges of the court or outside in the hallways. Many more gathered outside to demonstrate their support for the arrestees as Magistrate Sarah Dawes presided over the committal mention.
The morning was spent dealing with minor bail negotiations being settled and in discussing the viability of the evidence brief supplied by police. Magistrate Sarah Dawes, whilst commenting on the “extensive” police resources that are obviously being used toward the case, requested that the prosecution provide a hard copy (previously only provided in digital format) of the evidence brief to all of the arrestees. Defence lawyer Marita Altman drew laughs and a spontaneous round of applause by suggesting that she would only require one brief for her four clients, in order to ‘cut down on trees’.
Importantly highlighted was the massive amount of property still confiscated by police in their massive over-reaction to the relatively minor property damage that occurred during protests against the illegitimate Group of 20 (G20) that met in Melbourne last November.
Defendant Sina Brown-Davis was also threatened by a security guard and the clerk of courts that she may be forcibly removed from the courtroom if she refused to remove a Torres Strait Islander flag from her shoulders. Ms Brown-Davis calmly stated her right to display the flag and opted to remain wearing it in the courtroom.
Repressive police tactics were further demonstrated in the afternoon when Salver detectives went to extraordinary length to attempt to fabricate evidence and allow them to arrest and detain Akin Sari without bail. Mr Sari having left court to get a sandwich whilst awaiting the surer of his bail; detectives sought to have him arrested immediately and denied bail. Receiving a very cool reception from the magistrate, they hurriedly changed their story and requested that instead they change the bail conditions back to the excessive condition that Sari report to police three times weekly. Magistrate Sarah Dawes told police that their use of the court in such a way was “offensive” and that they were wasting the court’s time. Mr Sari chose to represent himself and successfully made a mockery of the police prosecutioner, and attempted to call witnesses so that he could prove the police witness was a liar, when the magistrate told him it was ‘unnecessary’ as she had ‘already made up her mind.’ The police application was flatly denied and police reprimanded for their reprehensible use of court resources and time.
The struggle to defend political protest continues.
from indymedia
Tons and tons of love, well wishes, support, solidarity, revolutionary greetings and anything else you could ever dream of from across the Tasman - thinking of you all!
Comment by Aotearoa Anarchist — May 12, 2007 @ 4:45 am
Kia Ora Aotearoa
Looking forward to aunties fund raiser tonight.
The flag is not the Torres Strait Islander Flag, it is a Maori flag, To me it represents the struggle of my people from 1830 until today. The spirit of resistance. It was a mark of respect to my Uncle Rupene Karaka who battles at the coalface back home. I am more comfortable being an Indigenous Anarchist, but will always give respect, and context to my struggle.
The more commonly known Maori Independence flag is the Tino Rangatiratanga Flag,was inspired by Maori activists who had went to Redfern in the eighties and saw the Aboriginal flag everywhere and took that inspiration back to Aotearoa /NZ
Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand:
“Busby’s hope that the flag would provide a means for encouraging Maori to act collectively was partially fulfilled when many of the chiefs involved went on to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1835. To Maori, the United Tribes flag was significant in that Britain had recognised New Zealand as an independent nation with its own flag, and in doing so, had acknowledged the mana of the Maori chiefs. As only northern chiefs were involved in choosing the flag, it became particularly significant to northern Maori. ”
www.conscious.maori.nz/front.php
Comment by Ana — May 12, 2007 @ 6:10 am
kia kaha wahine toa!! hope u got my last few emails….luv ya, Martita
Comment by Martita La Loquita — June 27, 2007 @ 3:53 pm