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 - were 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.