Drug house protesters arrested in Darwin

Six people protesting against the drug house legislation on the steps of the Darwin Justice Department have been arrested this afternoon.

Armed with posters, a loud hailer and foghorns, Darwin Network Against Prohibition members refused to budge until they met the Attorney-General Peter Toyne or the Justice Department's Richard Coates, neither of whom emerged from the building.

Five police officers asked the protesters to move and when they refused, arrested them for making undue noise.

Before he was heaved into a police van, the Network's Gary Meyerhoff said the protest was the first of many planned for Darwin.

He said money used to fund the Territory police drug squad would be better spent on health or education.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 22nd March 2002
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website: http://www.abc.net.au
Email: comments@your.abc.net.au