[Greens-Media] Greens take excessive APEC police behaviour to the Senate

[Bolwell, Kristian (Sen K. Nettle)]

Greens take excessive APEC police behaviour to the Senate 

10.09.07

Excessive and unwarranted police behaviour during the APEC weekend has
caught the attention of the Australian Parliament  after the use of
snipers, violent arrests, blacklists and an overwhelming and
intimidating heavy police presence in Sydney over the weekend was raised
by Greens Senator Kerry Nettle in the Senate today.

 "The APEC weekend left Sydneysiders feeling repressed and afraid that's
why we should have an independent inquiry into this dirty weekend."
Senator Nettle said. 

"I was saddened to see my city turn into a police state with overzealous
police officers acting with the encouragement of the state and federal
governments who cheerily curtailed citizens rights. 

"It's clear that security concerns surrounding APEC were used as an
excuse to trample, arrest and imprison seemingly innocent people
throughout Sydney. 

"The Greens motion supports an independent inquiry into police
activities during the APEC weekend.

"I was particularly concerned that police pointed sniper guns at
protesters and that people were subject to video surveillance." Senator
Nettle said. 

More information Kristian Bolwell 0411638320 - 
The draft motion follows 

That the Senate 
(a) notes that

(i) APEC was held in Sydney last week and that this event cost over $300
million to stage;

(ii) the security operation involved 

*	Overzealous policing methods, including the violent arrests of
journalists, an accountant and numerous peaceful protesters.
	
*	Intimidatory video surveillance of members of Parliament and the
community.
	
*	Rifles being pointed at the people of Sydney in low flying
helicopters and by roof top snipers.
	
*	Freedom of movement being curtailed throughout Sydney by police.
	
*	The prohibition of people entering parts of Sydney based on
unsubstantiated police accusations and secretive blacklists.
	
*	Police discouraging peaceful dissent against APEC through
unnecessary shows of force including police dogs, water cannons,
deployment of the riot squad and disproportionate show of force against
the people of Sydney. 
	
*	Police not wearing name badges;

(iii) the Prime Minister's statement backing the conduct of the APEC
security and police operation; and 

(b) calls on the government to:
(i) immediately apologise to the people of Sydney who have had their
civil liberties and freedoms suspended by APEC, and 

(ii) support an independent inquiry into the conduct of the NSW police
and others involved in the security operation during APEC.