Riot police arrest WikiLeaks protesters
Riot police clashed with protesters as more than 600 people marched on Martin Place Tuesday afternoon.
Four were arrested by police when fights errupted, reportedly after police tried to take a banner from a protester. They were later released without charge.
Protest spokesperson Kiraz Janicke said the arrests were an attack on the right to free speech.
“This rally was to be peaceful,” Janicke said.
“We intended to deliver a message to the PM and her government that Julian Assange must be afforded all legal rights and released from custody.”
A letter to the Support WikiLeaks coalition, the organisers of the event, from Assistant Commissioner and Commander of the Central Metropolitan Region Mark Murdoch advised protesters they did not have permission to hold their march.
The letter states permission was refused because the group did not provide seven days’ notice of their planned protest.
Assistant Commissioner Murdoch said police had offered to facilitate a static protest, alternate route, or a march along George Street at an alternate time.
The rally was called to coincide with the decision by the Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Julian Assange’s bail application and ended peacefully just after 7:30pm.
By Simon Black
