Pink and Blue don't mix

This is an announcement following up on this. Perth Indymedia reports.


5 students got arrested. Much brutality was used by the police on the queer students from QC. Here are accounts by Belinda Cooper, QC convenor, Alex Ettling (one of the arrested students), and Annaliese Constable (one of the rally participants). I've also pasted several statements from other people who were at the rally.

[Update: More photos here.]

Very, very disturbing implications on the abuse of power by institutional agents of the state. I think we really need intervention by somone with calling power in the legal circles. A progressive lawyer or media spokesperson.

Julian Burnside, are you reading this?

***
Belinda Cooper

Queer Collaborations Thur and Fri actions

Well some may already know of the Queer Collaborations students' actions that took place on Thursday night kiss-in at the Deen and yesterday’s speak out at Forrest chase.

As a convenor of QC I felt a sense a weight of overwhelming responsibility as four of our delegates from various eastern state universities were arrested in Forrest chase yesterday.

As convenor I had handed the direction of the organisation of the actions to the QC 220 strong student collective. The QC student collective will be sending out a formal press release and many of the photographic/ filmed evidence that took place in Forrest chase yesterday will hopefully be available later in the week.

Why were the QC delegates arrested? For swearing firstly and secondly the others were arrested for wanting to know why their friend was being arrested. Whether laws were broken or not is not the issue. The real question is what was behind the police officers motivation for initiating the arrests.

The idea for the action was for students to speak out about why they were there then too march through the CBD area. We were not violent. We were not asked to move on. We barely got ten meters before one of the guys was arrested. We were speaking out about being queer LGBTI students, about how VSU (voluntary student unionism) will affect us as students as youth and how Howard’s attack on the rights of individuals and in the workplace will have such a detrimental affect on LGBTI people, in providing safe space just to be us. So yes we were passionate and we did speak out and would you believe it we where heard; by school students by families by everyday people and more.

It was not the swearing that was deemed offensive, but the context it was placed in words and statement such as: queer, gay, lesbian, bi, trans, Intersex, I F83k men. I was gang raped by six men and NOTHING was done about it. No one wants to hear how high queer suicides are in comparison to our hetro community. And more….

It is intriguing to note how extreme and variant different responses from the public were as well; then how when homophobic combined with swearing remarks were so ignored by the police.

The police were stopping us from marching at one point we had 30 police officers standing around us and by then several of the delegates who were quite rightly freaking out or just winded from being kicked in the gut by the police had dispersed. Me, I was trying to stop any more individuals from being arrested or hurt (also freaking bloody out) and getting Brother Steve to call the uni students lawyers to assist the students who had been arrested. The others QC delegates can tell you their own story and many have already written up their personal statements.

The community is always so quick to judge students and dismiss us as riff raf and so forth. They seem to forget about how these students are soon to be teachers, sociologists, lawyers, doctors, social workers, physiologists, politicians, judges, engineers, geologists and artists. That we are informed and care for our community, that we care for our youth as we are youth and were not so long ago in school, that we do have parents in the community that do care and support us.

Why do you think so many students traveled so far and worked so hard towards having a five day conference that had wonderful speakers from our community come talk to us about education, about the workplace, about our trans, Intersex community, about marriage rights. Many speakers who brought with them heartwrenching stories that brought us to tears with our frustration at the world and our society.

Yesterday I was in shock and then I was just plain angry. The police incited the situation, they were heavy-handed, they were violent and they were trying to justify their actions that were driven by LGBTIQ phobia. I guess I was still a country girl used to friendly country police officers from an average middle class rural family. Yesterday I learnt that unless you know your rights you don’t get them, because no one is just going to give you them. You must DEMAND your rights!

To prove my point on how well behaved the QC delegates actually were; after retrieving the four arrested individuals we later all went to our genderf*#k Ball on the riverboat gambler. The staff thanked us, and commented on how we where such a friendly polite and happy bunch. That in fact we were extremely welcome to come back anytime.

The conference was extremely rewarding and we got so much out of it, well I know I did, I hope everyone else who participated in the event did as well.

An extremely physically and emotionally exhausted Belinda Cooper

***
Annaliese Constable

so, on friday at approximately 2:40 a peaceful rally began in the forest chase mall in perth - which for sydney siders is similar to the pitt street mall. the rally was about the Howard governments attacks on student and trade unions and calling on the government to repeal all homophobic laws.

it began with about 100 queer kids from QC hanging out and chalking body outlines in a die-in. there were some speakers on the mega phone and general cheering and jeering (at the right moments) from the crowd. there was an extreme presence of police before the speakers even began and some police had already threatened to arrest someone for chalking on the paving....which last time i checked is not illegal but if it is my 4 year old nephew is in the shit.

anyhew, the first person to be arrested was james who was targeted for saying the fuck word on the megaphone. some young kids who overheard the police came and told me what was about to happen so i went and alerted james and some other kids about the impending arrest. i gave my whistle to james telling him to blow the whistle as hard as he could to draw attention to himself if he was in trouble. as i was talking to james and alex and louisa i could see two police officers approaching james from two different angles. at this point alex ettling bear hugged james to protect him from being taken away. the police roughly grabbed james and louisa and others began to latch on. james was desperately trying to blow the whistle but the police held his arms down so he couldn't. i took the whistle and blew it to draw attention to the fracas.

at this point the crowd turned to see the police pushing people to the ground and throwing people off james. more people became involved and asking what was happening. i recall seeing shae, her partner (i think tal), tracey boyd, the other james and louisa all being attacked by the police.

as i was blowing the whistle i circled the group of police and protesters and i picked people up who were being trampled. one particular person whom i recall picking up as she was being stood on was *tal*. as i blew the whistle one particular police man who was the largest man there targeted me and laughed in my face. as i continued to blow the whistle he slammed me with both hands so that i was propelled backwards into the crowd.

i saw people crying and screaming for the police to stop. i saw bystanders (otherwise shopping) stopping and aghast at the brutalisation. some bystanders joined in as we chanted "this is not a police state we have the right to demonstrate."

my approximation would be that there were some 300 people witnessing this event. with an upper level in the mall some bystanders became quite vocal. some young men (approximately 10)began to shout out "ya fuckin' faggots. ya' fuckin' faggots come suck on this." as they were doing this they were laughing and grabbing their crotches.

i turned to the police and demanded that the homophobes be arrested for saying the fuck word in public. the police merely warned them and moved them on. as i tried to help my comrades i was trampled on by the police and lost my shoe. as the police were brutalising us they were consistently saying the fuck word.

i saw the police miss the door of the paddy wagon as they attempted to throw louisa into the back. louisa's limbs and head were slammed into the metal slab which constitues the rear of the paddy wagon.

i saw *alexin* grabbed by the police when he was doing nothing but standing nearby. i heard him shout "i didn't do anything, i didn't do anything".

following the arrests, we circled the paddy wagon linking arms to prevent the vehicle from leaving the mall. people were pushed back with force and the police used their batons. after some further speakers, our protest continued and we marched through the mall.

eventually the march split so that half of the participants could leaflet about queers and unions etc and the others went to the police station to express our solidarity with our arrested activists.

when were at the police station we sat across the road sitting peacefully and quietly against the brick wall. some of us had our placards sitting on our laps. the police approached us and told us that we were creating a traffic hazard and that we had to move on. they said it was the placards that was causing the disturbance. we offered to put the placards away. the police then officially warned us that if we did not move on they would arrest us. there was an excessive police presence. we moved on to the park over the road.

we waited for a long time with the police giving varying information about how long it would be before the activists would be released. after hours some police came over to the park. i watched as one police officer pretended to make friendly and the other checked people's laps and basically checked us out. i kindly informed them they were not welcome and they were not trusted. they scoffed but i don't care how paranoid i seem/ed - blue and pink don't mix.

anyway,

yeah so - we need to fundraise and support those who support us.

annaliese

***
Alex Ettling

The whole thing is a bit of a blur for me. At least now I know why I was pissing blood in the police station. gross.

Thanks to everyone (and I'm sure Louisa Bassini, James Higgins, Alexis Vassiley and James Vigus would join me too) for the kind support people have given us. It was nice to see Qc-ers waiting outside. We could see everyone through the security monitors inside the lock-up. We were really grateful that people waited around even though it meant that they didn't have time to dress up for the Genderfuck Ball later that night. Thanks also for all the kind messages and phone calls, and also the offers to fundraise to pay our fines.

Just to help flesh out the picture, here is my recollection (told in story format!):

I wasn't even sure if I was going to make it to the protest. I was feeling really sick and knew I wouldn't be able to chant or anything (boo!). And then just before we were about to head off, we got called to pick up a QC delegate from the East Perth Watch House for shoplifting. I wouldn't have predicted that in less than 20 minutes I'd be back at the lock up, but with people waiting to pick me up. That's what you call 'ironic' - or is that what you call unfortunate. I remember the Alanis Morrissette song causing a similar controversy in definition. Anyway, I drove S and S to the Moon so they could have
a drink and chill out over their imprisonement ordeal. It was 3.10 so I thought I still had time to make it to the demo. Unfortunately, the only place with 1 hour free parking in the city area is erroneously titled Money Street, a reasonable walk away from Forest Chase. So I power walked – as you do.

When I got to the city there was a pretty good crowd. Lots of noise and some rousing speeches – I only really caught the tail end though. It was inspiring to hear personal stories of queerphobia though and the impact that VSU would have on queers. When we tried to lead the protest out of Forest Chase for the march around Murray and Hay Streets, the police moved to block us. We briskly walked past them. When we turned our heads to see why everyone wasn't following we saw a
cop had James H in a headlock. Apparently, he had been swearing and this offended the sensibilities of the cops. It was in front of kids at Russian Winterland and apparently they didn't want to see the women and children' scarred for life by our bad language, so they did the sensible thing and decided to beat up the protesters – in front of the children.

James V latched on to James H to try and de-arrest him. Louisa, myself and others grabbed on too. Annalise blew her whistle at the police to disorient them. Eventually, after a struggle, they got the James's into the back of the paddywagon. Protesters linked arms around the van to prevent it driving away. At some point Alexis got arrested too, but I didn't see that. The chant `this is not a police state, we have the right to demonstrate!' was screamed at the police who continued their – I think it's fair to say – brutal treatment, pushing over demonstrators and using batons.

I stood in front of the paddywagon and was pushed away by a cop. I moved back in front of it and that's when the cops sprang on to me. I don't really remember it. I'm told that I was put into a headlock. Somehow I fell to the ground. Apparently cops were kicking me in the stomach – that would explain the sore kidneys and blood. My lip was cut open as well and my finger sprained. I remember Megan and Louisa grabbing on to me. I think had three cops lift me and throw me into the back of the paddywagon. Then Louisa was picked off and thrown in, but because it was full of us, she was thrown into the step and corked her thigh. As we were driven away I remember looking out of the grate like a caged primate in a very sad nature documentary. Then I tried to swallow as many pain killers as possible in case they denied me medical care for my flu.

We were taken to East Perth Watch House. On the ride over, we hurriedly tried to call everyone and erase stuff from our phones. When we got there we were lectured about `not going crazy' and asked if we had knives and stuff. It was ludicrous. Louisa was taken out and placed in `the tardis' where she was apparently lectured for her use of language. James V, Alexis and I were taken inside. It was a slow process to get through. There were already two Nyoongar women in front us being disciplined by the state – so you know, everything in due course. We were searched in front each other – unfortunately not by
the good looking cop. During this time the cops tried to make small talk with us – I was really not in the mood. I was told to relax because `we're not the Gestapo'. Well, they don't have to try much harder. During processing we had to give up all our belongings, belt and shoes. They asked me what my `pan' badge was. When I told them they laughed in my face. We were asked to detail all our health problems in a very unprivate and unsympathetic manner. The cop was trying to get me to say that my cut lip wasn't because of police brutality but rather due to dry, chapped lips! We were placed in a holding cell, which I didn't expect would be peach coloured. Perhaps it is to have a calming influence – to remind you grandma's apricot pie, or some shit like that.

The worst thing about being arrested is how boring it is. You're at the complete mercy of these fucktards and they draw the process out just because they can. We got it good though – there were plenty of people who were there over night or longer. A lawyer from ECU student guild called us to give us some legal advice which we were grateful for. They didn't bother taking statements from us. We were photographed, DNA tested and had our fingerprints done. This was by far the most painful experience for me. He kept saying `just go with it' as he rolled by hands across the paper. My sprained finger crunched each time. The next day it was a purple pulp. Of course, throughout this the police were trying to be chatty. Whether it was trying to boast their union credentials (well, you've got a funny way of showing you support unions!) or talking to me about the Phantom (what the fuck?). The guy who did my hands asked what the protest was for. I said it was about queer rights and the impact of Voluntary Student Unionism. He was like `what, homosexual stuff'. I said `er, yeah'. I couldn't be bothered having a discussion about queer theory. He said `well, you can't help what you are. As long as you don't force it on me, right. Good Philosophy?' I smiled. James H's experience was of the cop saying that `this new finger printing system is so gay'. Although the best homophobia was when the cops had a go at us for Steve saying that he fucks men – gasp – in front of children.

I listened to more of the cops inane chit chat. I felt sorry for them. So deluded and in such a nasty service. I waited for ages. The Keystone cops couldn't get the photocopier to work. I thought the comment `this fucken facility is fucked!' by one of the cops summed it up – and was somewhat ironic considering how we go ourselves into our predicament. Obviously, they don't have a swear jar at the East Perth Watch House.

Anyway…

We all got released. Most of us were charged with `obstructing police'. I think James H was charged with obscenity and disorderly conduct. The police lied on their statements – of course. They had no idea who we were. They kept calling us by the wrong name. The whole time they were referring to Louisa as `the female'. When we got out there was a crowd of people there to greet us. It was nice. Sarah presented me with a cup of cough syrup and some pain killers. Lovely.

The experience wasn't really that traumatic. I was feeling too detached and delirious from the flu to really get too caught up in what was happening. After I got out I just wanted to get drunk and force myself to somehow have fun. I drank a bottle of champers on the cruise to `give me a lift'. It didn't really work but I had fun dancing to New Order for the third time at QC. I hit my wall at 2am and had to go home. The rocktastic music at Ampy just wasn't inspiring me.

We went to court the next morning. Alexis was dressed very smartly, which made me feel shameful cos I hadn't even changed my clothes. Perhaps that's shameful whether you are going to court or not. Anyway, we had our turn with the public defender – speedy service. Alexis had his case remanded, whilst James pleaded guilty to both his charges. Because the fines were relatively small, Louisa and I decided to plead guilty too. The magistrate was a bit of dick. Apparently he made some
quip about me `being the next prime minister' when I told him I did public policy and management. I get that crap all the time. From now on I'm going say I do geology. No one has any jokes to make about geology.

The experience of being in the court was a good one. We had to sit through all the cases of the people who had been in custody first. It made it really clear how fucked the justice system way. Whether is was suspended jail sentence being given to a guy who hadn't paid his traffic fines or the magistrate calling a likely domestic violence victim a `twit' – it was pretty horrible. It was a parade of fucked up lives and fucked up treatment.

In the end James H got a $253 fine, Louisa and I got a $203 fine each, James V didn't show up but will probably get the same and unless Alexis defeats the charge, I'm sure he will too. We all got spent convictions, which means we can't re-offend or we'll get both convictions on our record.

So that's roughly what I remember. To be honest, I'd take the experience of being arrested 3 times over the flu I've got. It's hell. Everyone who went to QC seems to have got it. sniffle, sniffle.

Alex Ettling

***
Farida Iqbal

We had a gathering at Forest Place at 3:10pm. The speakers stood on top of the raised grass bit and did their speeches. We gathered around the speakers. When the speeches were over we started up Murray St. Straight away police started trying to arrest one of our speakers. Someone called out "unlawful arrest!" I couldn't see why he was being arrested. I didn't think he broke any laws. The police were being very forceful. They made very little attempt to negotiate with us. They just grabbed this guy, we tried to defend him. The police started arresting more people. Some people were thrown down to the ground.

***
Trent Hawkins

Protest began at 3:30pm in between the two grass islands. Began with a few speakers talking on a megaphone, four police persons milled by the small station. They moved around to watch the speaker. A couple more police arrived. A woman went to chalk on the ground and was forced to clean it off.

James was speaking on the megaphone about collective action and the need to challenge the ruling class. I don't recall any specific swearing.

As the protest moved to undertake a march through Murray St Mall, about 3-4 Police attempted to grab James and pull him out of the line of the march. They then succeeded and dragged him away with several other protestors trying to get him away from the cops. They then called for more people to help. Another was pushed into the police station thing and arrested. The arrested people were taken to the paddy wagon around which a crowd of people formed and chanted "shame" and "this is not a police state, we have a right to demonstrate."

Alexis was grabbed by a policeman around the throat and were pushed and thrown into the paddy wagon.

***
Simone Epistafsson

As the march started, cops surrounded James who was wearing a white shirt, a member of Socialist Alternative (S.A.). James (Vigas?) who had glasses, also a member of S.A. had his arm around James. The police tried to tear them apart, which was when several other protestors including Louisa latched on as well. Two police officers grabbed James Vigas and then threw him against a wall. Several people got thrown on the ground as a result of the scuffle with police.

Protestors surrounded the police car in which the two James and Louisa were in. Alex Etting was pushed to the ground and dragged into the back of the car by several police officers.

Annalise, who was just standing around was pushed hard by a very tall and large cop. She did not provoke him and excessive violence was used upon her.

At the police station where the five protestors had been detained, a group of protestors sat against a wall opposite the station. We were not being loud or doing anything illegal. Police officers told us we were a `traffic hazard' and that if we did not leave we would all be arrested.

***
Shae McLean

I started to move off with the march and I watched two policemen at least walk up and surround (one on each side) a male marcher/protestor. Myself and a few others moved towards the protestor and asked "What did he do (to be arrested)?" and all the police officer would say was "Step away or you'll be arrested." I grabbed one officer's arm and asked again "What did he do?" The officer pushed me away from himself and then when I was an arms distance from the police officer, the police officer side-kicked me in the stomach and forced me back into the crowd and onto the ground.

***
Alicia Shevlin

I saw Alex Ettling being taken in a high headlock. I didn't see how he ended up on the ground, but I remember him being kicked twice, then by 3 (I think) cops into the van.

Everyone in front of the car was being pushed right over by a number of police. I saw one cop using a baton (held with one hand at each end, then moving forward to knock people over in his path.).

Later about 15 cops came to where about 20 of us were sitting peacefully over the road from the police station (East Perth) and told us to move on because our placards were disrupting traffic – we were only sitting there cross-legged, a few of us with placards flat on the ground at our feet.

***
Paul McCormick

When the protest first started marching, `James from SA,' (who was wearing a white shirt & introduced himself on the loudspeaker) was approximately 1-2m in front of me. A police officer went straight towards him from behind & grabbed his arm roughly. At the same time 2 or 3 officers came from the other direction (I couldn't see over the first officer at the time, as I am quite short.). There was an ensuing scuffle.

Alex Ettling was grabbed from behind by a police officer, with his (the officer's) arm over his chin and pulling his head backwards. He was then thrown to the ground and two other officers surrounded him. Two of the officers kicked him, one twice. I saw Alex kicked in the kidney and the stomach. He was then hauled roughly into the police van.

***
Tali Sternfein

I was in a peaceful rally, which begun with a few speakers. Suddenly, when we began marching, a protestor was being forcefully grabbed by at least three police officers. I approached to hug my fellow demonstrator and became surrounded by police in an aggressive manner.

Despite being jammed in the sudden mob that had surrounded the arrestee, and the police and unable to free myself, I was repeatedly shoved and yelled at. A police person shoved me aside that forcefully that I was thrown back, landing straight on my back and slamming my head on the cement. While I was flat on the floor, stunned, a number of police people continued on, blithely stepping on me, with no concern for my health or safety. It was a member of the concerned public who hauled me up, from under the police people's feet.

***
Stuart Richards

– Shae getting side-kicked
- 20 cops 10 quiet protestors
- everyone (including Lucille) in front of the car getting pushed over
- James Higgins getting arrested

***
Lucille Paterson

– Shae standing behind a policeman, asking "Why is he being
arrested?" Shae was then pushed and kicked forcefully to the ground.

***
Katie Sfetkidis

I saw James (ANU) being grabbed by the police, when he really didn't do anything. I saw tell of a girl with straight black hair for chalking.

Outside the police Station (East Perth) we were asked to leave for obstructing traffic, while we (about 20 people) were peacefully sitting on the footpath opposite the station. When we offered to get rid of the placards, they told us we had to move on. As we were leaving I said "You should be ashamed of yourselves, this is disgraceful!" and a cop said "You should ashamed of your dress sense." I said "Excuse me?" The officer said "You abused me, I can abuse you!" Then we left.

***
Rachel Evans

I was engaged in a peaceful rally at Forest Chase. The Queer Collaborations Conference had an end of conference rally, as most student conferences do. We were listening to speakers and started to march off. Around 3-5 cops pushed into the leading students and grabbed one of the speakers. The student, surprised, struggled. There was no warning given by the police. A number of students rushed in to defend the student grabbed.

The cops manhandled him and hit him against the paddy-wagon while trying to get him in. We shouted "Shame" and "This is not a police state, we have the right to demonstrate." The cops picked off some other students. After they had a number of people in the way and a burly cop (Gogh No.11431) said to the other cops "get them out of here." He shoved and other cops shoved students that were in front of the paddy-wagon. No 11431 got out his baton (Whip Stick) and hit a number of students who had fallen, after shoved to the ground.

At no time did the police tell us why they were arresting these activists. We then marched off to the cop station (East Perth).

***
Sunny Ho

Immediately after Shane Cuckle had finished making a speech, two police confronted him, and one of them grabbed his arm unnecessarily. Whilst questioning Shane the police continued to hold his arm in order to intimidate Shane Cuckle.

At East Perth Police Station, Franscheni No. 6728 collected my personal details. Upon myself asking him why he singled me out to take my details, he made a spurious attempt at civility by suggesting that the police could only collect one persons details at a time. There were approximately fifteen (15) police, and about twenty (20) citizens in our group, yet he singled me out. I believe he singled me out because I was noting down police details (names and numbers). My friend beside me also asked him why Franscheni was taking my details, which he replied, in the sense of: "Because he [Sunny Ho] was taking our details."

***


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