[Greens-Media] Greens condemn predawn riot police raid on Occupy Sydney

[David Shoebridge]

*Media Release 23 October 2011*

*Greens condemn predawn riot police raid on Occupy Sydney*

NSW Greens have condemned heavy handed police action and called for
restraint and respect for non-violent protest following riot police making a
pre-dawn raid arresting participants and breaking up the peaceful Occupy
Sydney protest this morning.

NSW Greens MP David Shoebridge said:

"This was a peaceful protest against corporate greed and growing inequality
and there was simply no call for the riot police to move in and crush it.

"With reports of approximately 50 protesters being arrested and a number
being injured, this pre-dawn raid was ill-conceived and unnecessary.

"Conservative State governments in both Melbourne and Sydney have now sent
in riot police to shut down the occupation protests and a disturbing pattern
is emerging of police being used to crush peaceful political dissent.

"There was no reason given by police for this action other other than the
City of Sydney by-laws prohibit camping in Martin Place.  Occupy Sydney
wasn't camping, this was a peaceful political protest against corporate
greed.

"Police might have thought a week long protest in the city looked untidy,
but the greed and inequality that Occupy Sydney was speaking against is the
real crime that demands action.

"This is a world wide movement with most nations, including the United
States, respecting peaceful protest, placing Australian amongst a small
group of nations that is stifling free expression.

"We should all congratulate Occupy Sydney, and it's thousands of supporters,
for their courage in speaking out against corporate greed and the
concentration of wealth across the globe," Mr Shoebridge said.

Media Contact: David Shoebridge 0408 113 952