Five Arrested And Police Officer Injured After Protests Outside Minister's Office

Friday, 13 July, 2007

by Radhika Basuthakur
AHN

Perth, Australia (AHN) - Five people were arrested for protesting outside federal Education and Science Minister, Julie Bishop's Subiaco office Friday.

About 50 anti-nuclear protesters walked into the foyer of the office to deliver a letter of protest to Bishop over a proposed nuclear waste dump in the Northern Territory. Police said, five of these protesters were arrested. Four were charged with disorderly conduct and one with assaulting a police officer.

Bishop said she initially tried to talk to them.

She told Southern Cross Radio, "As I got out of my car, they surrounded my car and they were wanting to raise points with me."

"I was very calm, I hope, and tried to listen to them and talk to them about their issues. But it just got out of hand so I went inside the office and then they stormed into the foyer."

"So we did ring the police because they were actually inside the office chanting."

Protesters say it was a peaceful demonstration. One of the protesters, Toby Lee, says the police launched an unprovoked attack.

He said, "As I was leaving, I was directly sprayed with capsicum spray into my eyes 10 centimeters from my face without warning," he said.

Police say the protesters threw rocks and bricks.

Many of the protesters were provided with medical treatment. One police officer was injured and was taken to the hospital with a gash to the back of his head.


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