No millionaire is worth violence

Date: 13 September 2000

No millionaire is worth a brutal baton charge

"Protesters were charged and beaten by riot police last night when their numbers were dwindling. There were many injuries and the police have clearly used excessive force on largely peaceful protesters. In my view, there were other available means of exit for the delegates including ferries on the Yarra, which would have avoided the necessity for confrontation," said Mr Hubbard. "It seems that the escalation of violence by the police is more about a show of force that ensuring that delegates get in and out of Crown with a minimum of confrontation."

"The situation has not been helped by a lack of communication between the police and the protesters," he said.

"While we organised our own protest yesterday and have a different way of expressing concern about the negative consequences of globalisation, trade unions support the right of all Victorians to protest without fear of violence," Mr Hubbard said.

"I call on the Victoria Police to ensure that all officers are wearing identification badges and that warning is given before any action is taken that involves physical force. This will allow protesters to disperse peacefully," he added.

"We would not tolerate this kind of police behaviour on a picket line and we don't condone it during this controversial event."

Mr Hubbard said that the trade union movement supported calls for the police ombudsman to examine the events of yesterday.

For further information

Contact:	Leigh Hubbard
Union:	Victorian Trades Hall Council - OHS Unit
Phone:	0396623511
Email:	info@vthc.org.au
WWW:	http://www.vthc.org.au

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