The NT ALP - the 'Left wing' of the Country Liberal Party

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...Continued from: Police provoked violence to stop monthly smoke-ins

Once the people had retrieved their Hookah, Police were advised to leave the area by NAP members.

We were concerned for the safety of the people gathered to demonstrate their opposition to the NT Labor Party's 'drug laws'. (Laws actually created by the NT Police.)

NAP have criticized the presence of ARMED Police at public gatherings -- frequently.

No guns -- no potential for a
tragedy involving guns.

Despite having provoked the citizenry with their boorish behaviour, NT Police continued to lurk around the perimeter of the crowd.

A decision to escalate the matter (by higher ranking Police?) was obviously the reason more Police were called to the scene.

There was no justification for Police to remain. They had destroyed the Hookah, created a public disturbance in the center of Darwin and their presence was obviously provocative.

It is important to note that no-one was charged with marijuana offenses -- all charges eventually laid were Police related.

The Police on the spot were more concerned about their hats. These had been frisbeed to safety, during the tussles, by conscientious members of the Public.

Our attempts to retrieve the hats from a Police-agitated crowd were unsuccessful.

Police made no mention of anyone being charged during this 'hat' dialogue.

As the Hookah was elsewhere, there was no evidence of (alleged) criminality to justify the presence of a small army of Police in Raintree Park.

An intelligent option NAP members explored with Police, was their doing something useful elsewhere.

However once Police had gathered some numbers, they began walking through the crowd in the manner of witch-sniffers.

Police approached Ema, who was advised by the law-abiding Micky to give only her name and address, which she did.

When Ema had fulfilled her legal obligations, she began to walk away. Police officers rushed and seized Ema and tried to lock her in a Police van. There were no legal preliminaries.

Shocked onlookers called out to the crowd for assistance, which arrived quickly.

There is something about seeing a 23 year old female being roughly manhandled by a group of armed Police, that provokes a reaction of disgust from thinking human beings.

A struggle ensued to stop Police hurting Ema, who had her feet in the Police van and her head on the tarmac. Ema was unable to move, let alone struggle.

The action of the Police officer deliberately causing Ema pain, by twisting her feet, was unnecessary and sadistic. A number of people yelled at him to stop, as Ema was screaming everytime he applied pressure.

Police later claimed that Ema had assaulted three Police officers. Yet none of the officers we'd spoken to earlier, expressed any interest in Ema or other activists. No Police were injured. Just their pride in their ability to harass Aboriginal people and political activists with impunity.

NAP member Rob Inder-Smith is attacked by Police. This is how people who were not even charged were treated by NT Police.

An Aboriginal woman and an eighty year old man (a performer at the smoke-in) from Belfast, try to assist Rob.

These ugly scenes are reminiscent of the first smoke-in invaded by NT Police.

First NT Police attack unjustified

Police withdraw charges laid @ first smoke-in

18 October, 2002

Network Against Prohibition (NT)

People Against Racism In Aboriginal Homelands (NT)

The Coordinators of both groups were the only people charged at the inaugural Darwin smoke-in.

NT Police Commissioner Paul White was to appear this morning, but NT Police decided to withdraw all seven charges.

NAP's Gary Meyerhoff -- 1. Failure to cease to loiter. 2. Assault. 3. Resist Arrest.

PARIAH's Mick Lambe -- 1. Hinder Police. 2. Resist arrest. 3. Possession marijuana. 4. Disorderly Conduct in a Police station.

NAP core member Nicolette was charged (in court today) for contempt, when she expressed her elation at the result. She was placed in a holding cell and later charged and fined $10-00.

The NAP legal team advised Nicolette (by coughing and making prayer gestures) to apologize. We are aware of the Magistrate's discretionary powers relating to Contempt.

Nicolette stated, "I'm sorry you were offended".

Close enough :-)

We have been in Court all week and face Court again tomorrow for the alleged Parliament invasion...

...and the alleged redecoration of a billboard.

The billboard (which was painted over after the alleged offense) now sports a message that states,

Drug Premises Smoke-in at Raintree Park www.napnt.org

It seems we have allies.

When asked by Magistrate Trigg if he had anything to say about Police dropping the charges, Mick Lambe replied, "It's a good thing I pleaded Not Guilty."

This retreat by the State, vindicates the people who supported our stand against NT Police interference in our campaigns...

...opposing racism and the absurd and counterproductive drug laws imposed by the NT Labor Party.

Local Press version of events

Back to: NT Police militancy escalates (2)

Next: NT Police militancy escalates (4)

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Events	NAP in the media	Health info for drug users	Images	Search napnt.org	Site map
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