Queer Activists Attacked by Western Australian police

by pink_blocka

Peaceful Queer Activists Attacked by Western Australian police: On Friday 8th July a queer rights action protesting the Howard governments attacks on student and trade unions and calling on the government to repeal all homophobic laws - in particular the same-sex marriage ban - was brutality attacked by police...

150 student and queer rights activists rallied at the end of a successful national student Queer Collaborations Conference held over a week at Perth’s University of Western Australia.

After hearing from a number of speakers protestors attempted to march peacefully
around Murray St Mall. With no warning given, activists were set upon by police.
Four men were thrown into the paddy wagon, one woman was also arrested.

Multiple reports of police violence were experienced by protestors and supportive onlookers. Hundreds of onlookers were witness to their viciousness.

Onlookers were shocked and horrified by the violent methods the police used.

Undeterred, protestors continued to march up the mall chanting defiantly “we’re
queer, we’re loud, we’re union and we’re proud.”

They handed out leaflets promoting the upcoming anti-voluntary student unionism
legislation on August 10th and the upcoming National Day of Action on August
13th calling on the government to repeal the ban on same-sex marriage.

This action is on the back of last weeks student protests at Edith Cowan
University which were also attacked by Western Australian police.

The five activists are due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on 9th July at
9:30am and are being charged with obstruction and disorderly behavior.

For more information phone:
Annaliese Constable (Queer Students Network) 0401 671 339,
Brother Steve (Vice-President Edith Cowan University Student Guild) 9228 2446,
Beth (Queer Collaborations Conference Collective) 0439 697 288
Simon Margan (Community Action Against Homophobia) 0438 637 037
Claire English (National Union Student Queer Officer) 0409 462 762
Rachel Evans (Socialist Alliance LGBTI NSW Spokeperson) 0403 798 420

http://perth.indymedia.org/index.ph...