Police attack Burma protest

Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - 10:00

BY DAVID GOSLING

CANBERRA — Supporters of democracy in Burma were attacked, and several injured, by police here on May 4 when they attempted to burn a Burmese flag outside the military regime's Canberra embassy.

The 80 protesters were calling for the restoration of democracy in the South-East Asia country and an end to the regime's use of forced labour. Their demonstration was part of an international day of union action on forced labour, called by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.

They were met by a heavy security presence, including 12 riot police with shields and full armour, police dogs, two mounted officers and about 50 standard police officers.

Protesters however refused to be intimidated by their presence and heard from representatives of the Free Burma Action Committee, the Mon ethnic community, ACT Trades and Labor Council secretary Jeremy Pyner, ACT Legislative Assembly member Wayne Berry, and representatives of the International Socialist Organisation and Democratic Socialist Party.

From GLW issue 448