Occupy Sydney Protesters Moved On From Hyde Park

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Paul Carson

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Following the Occupy Sydney street march on Guy Fawkes Day (November 5), the movement’s members gathered in Hyde Park in downtown Sydney.

NSW Police line up in Hyde Park.

A member of Occupy Sydney in Hyde Park.

NSW Police obtaining video footage of Occupy Sydney protesters.

NSW Police line up in Hyde Park.

Protesters and police in Hyde Park.

A member of Occupy Sydney talking to police.

Protesters and police in Hyde Park.

Live blogging from the Occupy Sydney gathering in Hyde Park.

An Occupy Sydney placard.

A protester arrested and charged for swearing during the Occupy Sydney gathering in Hyde Park.

Occupy Sydney protesters linking up in Hyde Park.

Police with a protester.

Occupy Sydney protesters linking up in Hyde Park.

Occupy Sydney protesters and police.

Meditating protesters at Hyde Park.

Riot Squad police line up at Hyde park.

Police dispersing the crowd from Hyde Park.

Heading home.

New South Wales Police maintained a strong presence throughout the day, and just before 2:00 on Sunday morning (November 6), the protesters were instructed to move on or face the possibility of arrest.

The protesters held out until the last minute before leaving the park. Members of the NSW Police Force followed the group for several blocks to ensure that they dispersed.

The rally was mostly peaceful, but tense. Six protesters were arrested for various offences during the day.

Australian Immigration Minister Accosted by Pro-refugee Protesters

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Paul Carson

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Australian Federal Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Bowen was accosted by pro-refugee activists today while giving a press conference in Smithfield.

Federal Immigration Minister Chris Bowen with members of the press.

A pro-refugee activist makes her feelings known to Minister Bowen.

Federal Immigration Minister Chris Bowen

Pro-refugee activists marching through Fairfield.

A bystander watches as pro-refugee activists march through the streets of Fairfield.

Pro-refugee activists marching through Fairfield.

Pro-refugee activists gathering outside the electoral office of Federal Immigration Minister Chris Bowen.

The protesters had gathered outside his electoral office in nearby Fairfield when word got out that the minister was speaking to the press a short distance away.

More details and images at my Demotix site.

Pro-Refugee Rally in Sydney

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Paul Carson

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – The Refugee Action Coalition held a rally in support of refugees and asylum seekers outside the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney today.

Protesters carry a banner through the screets surrounding the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. Protesters outside the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. Protesters and police outside the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre.

Protesters spoke out against the Gillard government’s “Malaysian solution” in which Australia will “swap” 800 refugees for 4000 asylum seekers already processed in Malaysia.

The crowd also voiced its opposition to the government’s policy of mandatory detention for refugees while their claims are assessed, a process which can take years.

Australian Minister for Immigration Chris Bowen is expected to announce details of the deal with Malaysia tomorrow.

Bangkok Dangerous

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Paul Carson

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Attempts to move around central Bangkok are frustrating, what with the main Red Shirt encampment covering a fair part of Rama I Road from near the end of Sukhumvit Road, directly under the Skytrain west of Ploen Chit station.