Brutal reaction to student sit-in

Brutal reaction to student sit-in

By Will Williams

CANBERRA — On September 11, after an Australian National University student general meeting, a small group of students held a brief, peaceful sit-in in the university chancellery. Although the students had agreed to leave on request, they were violently ejected by police, and one student was arrested.

Soon after the students entered the chancellery's council meeting room, a democratic decision was made to leave the building peacefully as soon as they were asked. But the university administration cleared staff from the building and called in more than 30 cops to intimidate the protesters.

As the students were leaving the building, one student was randomly selected and arrested without being told the charge. Police pushed the students down the last flight of stairs, knocking over at least three. When the students reached the front door, the police again lined up behind them and violently shoved them out. Several students were injured.

When students finally got outside, there were two police paddy wagons, two police cars, two ANU security cars, one police search and rescue 4WD, one police search and rescue tank, 20 security officers and 30 cops — all to ensure the removal of 17 peaceful protesters.

No charges were pressed against the students.

From GLW issue 290