Massive cop presence at anti-corporate demo
BY GRAHAM MATTHEWS
BRISBANE — An August 25 demonstration against the corporate takeover of the Queen Street Mall attracted 50 demonstrators and a massive police presence, including members of the Tactical Response Group. The demonstrators, led by three Ronald McDonalds, marched from King George Square to the Queen Street Mall, where they held a trial of the World Economic Forum for "crimes against humanity".
Although it is technically prohibited, free speech and free assembly in the mall are usually permitted following years of protest against council authorities. The demonstrators were surprised therefore when they were chaperoned by at least 23 uniformed police and many more plain-clothes police who attempted to blend into the crowd. Police established solid lines outside McDonald's outlets in the mall and kept the protesters surrounded.
The mock trial attracted considerable attention from passers-by, many of whom took literature explaining the World Economic Forum's role in maintaining corporate tyranny. The "court" heard evidence from expert witnesses and when John Howard, Bill Gates and Ronald McDonald appeared in their own defence they were found guilty on all charges.