Disrupt Land Forces protesters demand police apologise and disarm
An open letter signed by over thirty thousand Victorians has been sent to the Premier Jacinta Allan, the Police Minister Anthony Carbines and the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police Shane Patton today, elucidating numerous human rights breaches by Victoria Police during the Disrupt Land Forces protests on September 11 this year.
Close to 100 anti-genocide activists have been charged in relation to the September 11 protests, while hundreds more were impacted by chemical and projectile weapons deployed by police.
Police used batons, capsicum spray, foam bullets and stun grenades to attack activists who were seated or who had fallen down, who were in wheelchairs, holding children, administering first aid to other activists, or who were simply present at the protest.
Testimony received by the letter’s authors shows an arbitrary and disturbing use of violent force by Victoria Police, with arrests made brutally and randomly.
Alongside recording over a dozen human rights breaches by Victoria Police, the open letter demands a ban on police weapons at protest events and the cessation of ‘strategic incapacitation’ policing.
Spokesperson for Disrupt Land Forces Caroline Da Silva, one of the letter’s authors, said
“Victoria Police have clearly demonstrated that they do not understand how democracy functions. VicPol’s failure to observe fundamental human rights should disqualify them from ever attending a protest again.
The systemic violence represented by Land Forces is appalling. Land Forces enables weapons corporations to make the deals that result in genocide. Thousands of people turned up to express their opposition to this deadly trade because we care about humanity. The material violence against us by Victoria Police evidenced a distinct lack of humanity.
With this letter, supported by over thirty thousand people, we demand an end to the persecution and brutalisation of the activist community. We demand an acknowledgement and apology from VicPol and the Victorian government for multiple breaches of our human rights. Last and not least, we demand a total ban on police weapons at protest events in Victoria. The police have shown they cannot be trusted.”
Up to one hundred people will face Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on November 21 to defend an array of charges in relation to the Disrupt Land Forces mobilisation. No police have yet been charged over the numerous assaults perpetrated against civilians on September 11. Several civil cases against Victoria Police are pending.