Cops attack Reclaim the Streets action
By Kath O'Driscoll
LISMORE — Police viciously attacked a peaceful Reclaim the Streets demonstration and party here on November 5. At least 10 people were attacked with capsicum spray; three were taken to hospital. Sixteen people were arrested and later released.
The Reclaim the Streets event was part of an international day of action advocating the use of public space for people rather than profit. In Lismore the action was organised by student and environmental activists to oppose victimisation and harassment of youth, and to demand more public transport routes and services, free public toilets in the CBD and safety lights at the skate park.
One hundred people participated in the action, which began with a rally at which Edda Lampis, political action officer of the Southern Cross University student representative council, explained the nature of Reclaim the Streets and the demands of the protest. Bernie Wunsch, Resistance member and SRC chairperson, claimed that the problems of lack of public transport and police harassment of young people were likely to worsen due to the recent election of a more right-wing council.
Protesters marched to one of the main streets of Lismore, which had been blocked by large wooden tripods set up by activists, and danced, cycled and chanted. Police arrived, pulled down the tripods and beckoned traffic through, trying to disperse the action. Protesters peacefully resisted, linking arms and sitting down.
The police then overreacted, using undue force against the protesters. One plain-clothed cop indiscriminately used capsicum spray including near young children. At least 10 people were affected.
Protesters marched to the police station to demand the release of the 16 people detained. They were released without charges being laid.
"We hope that now people will have the confidence to start speaking out against police harassment and brutality", Lampis told Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, "and come together as a community to show our strength and unity in fighting for our rights".