- NT Police militancy escalates -

Police provoked violence to stop monthly smoke-ins

Posted: Sun, 13 Oct. 2002

Police, activists clash at
Darwin drug law protest

Darwin police have charged five people after clashes with drug law reform activists in the city yesterday.

Members of the Network Against Prohibition gathered in Raintree Park as part of their ongoing campaign against Territory drug laws.

Police say three officers were pelted with canned food and glass bottles when they tried to seize a bucket bong being used by the protesters.

They also say three police vehicles were damaged when people climbed on to the roofs.

The five protesters arrested have been charged with hindering police and criminal damage, and one of them with assault.

More arrests are expected.

However, a spokesman for the protesters, Mick Lambe, says they had a permit for the action and claims police provoked the confrontation by trying to seize the bong.

He claims one woman's top was torn off and officers used nerve holds and strangulation techniques to subdue the protesters, who remained nonviolent.

"There's a tradition in Darwin and in most of Australia too; you don't hit cops unless you're an idiot," Mr Lambe said.

"And besides, it's violence, you know."

"You start doing that and the police have every right to start belting you back."

"We're not going to give them a chance to escalate the violence."

"They're the people with the batons, they're the people with the guns."

Source

Initially we were approached by two uniforms who asked to view the permit for the rally, which we produced for inspection. When we pointed out that their presence was provocative and that we had a number of ongoing complaints against NT Police regarding harassment, they claimed they were just taking a stroll and that it was a public park.

Click on image to enlarge

This obvious lie was delivered by a smirking cop, secure in the knowlege of the protection afforded, by yet another corrupt NT government. More Police started to arrive and one of them went over to the community Hookah. Without even explaining why, he seized it and began walking away. As usual, simple courtesy (and legal protocol) was not deemed necessary for the Aboriginal people and others, NT Police consider less than human.

This provocation had the desired effect. NAP and PARIAH members will no longer tolerate interference by a Police force we know to be racist and criminal. We reclaimed the Hookah which had been stolen from us.

Gary leads a frightened Police person down
from the roof of a Police van.