Victoria Police showed ‘fine restraint’ in responding to protests at IMARC, commander says
A police commander has praised officers for showing “fine restraint” at today’s climate protest— despite footage showing how ugly it became.
A Victoria Police commander has praised the work of officers working to disperse protesters in Melbourne today, saying they showed “fine restraint”.
Police commander Libby Murphy told reporters this afternoon that those protesting outside the International Mining and Resources Conference had “turned much more violent” in the past two days.
Commander Murphy said police had arrested 17 people today, down from yesterday's figure of 50.
The climate protests are happening outside Melbourne’s Convention Centre where IMARC is being held.
When questioned if the force used by Victoria Police was “reasonable”, Commander Murphy said officers were simply responding to the behaviour of protesters.
“Everything police are doing is predicated by behaviour of protesters,” she said.
“They are committing criminal offences and police are allowed to stop them.
“If you continue to break the law and you continue to commit criminal offences, we will hold you to account.”
Commander Murphy said officers had also used capsicum spray on some protesters and offered to provide care afterwards but the group declined help.
Around 300 protesters formed a blockade outside the convention centre today with Commander Murphy reiterating the group was welcome to come and work with police when they were ready.
“We respect your right for peaceful and lawful protest,” she said.
“(We’re here) with open arms.. come to us and come and speak with us.”
Earlier, a Channel 7 journalist who has been covering the climate protests in Melbourne said he was “stunned” after being grabbed and pushed around by Victoria Police officers.
Video footage of the incident shows reporter Paul Dowsley being grabbed by the suit jacket as he attempts to access an area of the demonstration.
“Do you mind, I’m walking here,” Dowsley can be heard telling a male officer after he is shoved.
“You’re being arrested if you don’t move,” the officer says.
Two female officers then grab him by the shirt as members of the press pack yell: “He’s a journalist”.
Commander Murphy told reporters this afternoon Mr Dowsley had been told twice to move and “quite adamantly said ‘no’”.
“The footage is probably not the whole story,” she said.
On Twitter, Dowsley wrote that he could not believe the treatment he received while trying to cover the ongoing clashes between protesters and police.
Incredible. I was obeying their direction to move to another area. I’m stunned. https://t.co/YsZDIjc9jO
— Paul Dowsley (@pauldowsley7) October 30, 2019
“Incredible. I was obeying their direction to move to another area. I’m stunned,” he wrote.
Victoria Police also released a statement regarding Mr Dowsley’s altercation.
“It is unfortunate that members of the public, including journalists, are not following instructions by members of Victoria Police,” police said.
“In this case, the reporter involved did not follow police instructions to move away from the area. This was a safety issue and Victoria Police believes an appropriate amount of force was used to move the reporter from the area.
“We have given media repeated advice to be mindful of their surroundings to ensure their safety to avoid risk of injury. It is strongly recommended members of public listen and act immediately upon any police instruction issued. We have gone to great lengths over the past few days to ensure media has access to not only report on the protest but also the dynamic police response.”
The footage follows a bizarre statement from Victoria Police who rubbished a wild allegation that an officer outside the conference had been photographed performing a “white power” salute.
The officer was one of hundreds of officers assigned to keep protesters away from delegates attending the third day of the conference.
He was photographed using a hand signal to indicate “all is OK” but the picture took on a life of its own on social media.
One account, Jews against Fascism, shared the image with the words: “Victoria Police throwing up fascist/neo-Nazi/White Power gang signs at todays #IMARCBlockade.”
The account wrote: “From now until the end the struggle against climate change capitalism and the struggle against white supremacy are inherently linked.”
But Victoria Police were quick to correct the false accusation.
“There is an image which has been circulated on social media with a police officer using a hand signal to indicate ‘all is OK’,” a spokesman said.
“Some are reporting the hand signal is of ‘white power’, we assure you this is not the intended meaning.”
It comes after at least a dozen people were this morning arrested and capsicum spray was repeatedly deployed on climate change protesters.
The ugly scenes captured outside the convention centre yesterday, when 50 people were arrested, were repeated.
“Two people who glued themselves to a carpark access ramp have been removed,” police said.
“One female protester who ‘locked on’ to a hand rail within the disabled access ramp has been removed.”
The majority of offences were for “intentionally obstructing an emergency services worker”, police said.
Activists – under the banner of Blockade IMARC – were seen screaming and spitting in the faces of delegates as they came and went from the building yesterday, with thousands from across the globe expected to attend the three-day meeting.
Others linked arms and chanted while holding signs with various climate action messages.
Victoria Police today said the protesters had continued to block access into the conference, particularly via disabled ramps.
IMARC: Protesters jostle with the police. Some have come prepared with face masks, to protect them from capsicum spray. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/oPIGcbRzTi
— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) October 29, 2019
“Whilst we respect the rights of people to peacefully protest the unlawful action undertaken today is a drain on police resources from across greater Melbourne,” the force said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“The police operation is ongoing however, Victoria Police would like to state that any action taken by officers this morning has been in response to the protesters’ activity and in accordance with training.”
Outside the convention centre this morning, Blockade IMARC spokesman Jerome Small told Nine: “We will keep at it”.
“This conference is a conference of mining billionaires making a lot of money out of fuelling the climate catastrophe, stealing indigenous land and trashing workers’ rights,” he said.
“Any movement which is taking on the rich and powerful has had to do what we did yesterday and what we will do again today.”
While protest organisers said they expected Tuesday to be the biggest of the three days of demonstrations, they added the media attention so far made it difficult to calculate how many might attend this week.
Conference organisers insisted it was “business as usual” and the protests had failed to disrupt the meeting – attended by 7000 delegates.
Delegates heard about commitments within the industry to prioritise ethical sourcing and meet climate change goals, organisers said, having accused protesters of being misdirected in targeting the conference.
Deputy Prime Minster Michael McCormack condemned the protesters as “absolutely disgraceful”.
He told ABC News: “Mining and resources provides a lot of money, particularly for the welfare payments that a lot of those people are no doubt on.”
The majority of Tuesday’s arrests were related to failing to obey police direction or intentionally obstructing an emergency service worker.
Two people were arrested in relation to cruelty to animals after they allegedly slapped a police horse in the face.
Protester Camila Serra, 23, fell after being pushed by a police horse and was taken to the Alfred Hospital with a leg injury, while a man was treated at the scene for a cut to his head.
Four police officers suffered injuries, including a dislocated finger and minor head injuries. Two of them were taken to hospital for treatment.
Tuesday marks the second day of the conference and the third day of protests this week.
A group of about 100 people made their presence known outside the facility on Monday before marching up Spencer St, temporarily delaying traffic.
– with AAP
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