‘Threatening’ police presence at student rally

By Roje Adaimy

A small group of students attending the launch of a national campaign outside the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) last week was largely outnumbered by a brigade of uniformed police officers.
According to student representatives from universities across the state, police were blocking the entrance of the main tower building at Broadway, disrupting the flow of pedestrians.
“The heavy police presence was unnecessary and unwelcome,” organiser and president of the UTS Students’ Association, Emma Lancaster said.
“Their presence at this event was certainly imposing and threatening for students attending the peaceful demonstration.”
The City News understands that the extra police officers were not part of the official operation undertaken by Newtown Police Station, but from the nearby Surry Hills precinct. They were eventually dismissed from the site following a complaint from the Students’ Association to a police inspector on the site.
“This just highlights the lack of communication occurring within the Police Department and the waste of resources as a result,” Ms Lancaster said.
The midday rally, dubbed a National Day of Action, marked the launch of the latest campaign from students demanding greater public investment in university education. The UTS campus at Broadway was just one of several universities across Australia that participated in the protest.
“Across the higher education sector we are facing a crisis of accessibility, equity and affordability,” president of the National Union of Students, Angus McFarland said. “Last week Minister Gillard announced a year-long review of higher education in Australia, so now we’re bringing our ideas to the table.”