 |
||||
Saturday 14th July 2001
|
|
||||
Demonstration ViolenceAnyone who has ever been to Animal Liberation (WA) protest will know that the event is carried out in a non-violent way. At all 17 Stardust protests in April (Ed. see story) as well as the current ones, supporters have held banners and placards or handed leaflets to those who would accept them. All information was offered cheerfully and patrons were wished a pleasant day. The demos are staged on the council verge of Riverside Drive, not on the reserve Stardust had leased from the Perth City Council. The vast majority of the public accepted the information, we had lots of support from the passing traffic - cheers, waving, thumbs up and of course honking of car horns. However, we've all had to endure the abuse that some people will throw at any demonstrator. There are the classics like "get a job" or "get a life" - what do they really mean by that? - and then there are those that can only swear at you. Still others had many of us in laughing fits with their nonsensical statements. But all this is in the minority as most of the public is in support of circuses not having animal acts and in support of our peaceful demonstration. A handful or so of individuals have supported the current demonstrations. There were seven of us present for the violence that erupted today. As Stardust had done the previous Saturday, they had staff video tape the protestors. Both times the same staff member (hereafter referred to as SV* - Stardust Video) video taped people within 2 feet or less (600mm) of their faces - (Best thing to do is just smile) - Some people requested not to be video taped (which is perfectly within their rights). But their requests were ignored by SV, as his purpose was to intimidate us. I observed SV begin to video one supporter who was handing out leaflets to the public. I hadn't met this supporter previously, so I don't know his name but he came along to protest (hereafter referred to as CS** - Campaign Supporter). CS requested many times that he not be video taped, he resorted to holding a placard in front of his face to avoid being video taped. However SV continually pushed the placard aside with his video camera and CS would move aside replacing the placard in front of his face. Suddenly the tussling turned into a fight, there was a brief exchange of blows. Within seconds CS was on the ground after being dragged onto the reserve. SV sat astride him and continued to punch him about the head for another dozen or so times. All the time CS was lying on the ground trying to shield his head against the pummelling. Another six or seven Stardust staff (all dressed in black) circled around whilst this took place. Suddenly it was over; CS lay on the ground for a few minutes till he could recover his senses enough to stand and rejoin the protest. The circus staff closed ranks and claimed that CS assaulted SV despite the fact that he had been intimidating protestors by pushing his video camera in their faces. SV claimed the camera had been kicked out of his hand and was only defending himself. One circus staff girl began screaming that she would hit someone back if they had hit her. CS was not in any state to stand, and yet circus staff ordered us off "their land". For a short while there was a lot of yelling and screaming from both the protestors and circus staff, as well as from some of the public that had observed the incident. Circus staff accused us of being troublemakers. We returned to the council verge when CS could stand. CS had many bruises and swellings around his face and head, but he continued his protest with the rest of us in a peaceful manner.
|
I didn't see who threw the first punch, but I saw SV continue to assault CS, even though he was unable to defend himself. It only demonstrated to me what a violent person SV was. I can only wonder about the treatment the animals may receive from people such as SV. *I believe that SV is the same person as featured in press articles in April (Ed. see press clipping). **I have since met CS, but will respect his privacy and refer to
him as CS - however his injuries included a broken jaw , 3 fractured
ribs and several bruises. J Radford Ed. Note : The West Australian Newspaper ran a story in The West Magazine today (Saturday 14th July 2001). It was stated by Wonona West, a female member of the circus troupe, that "we have punchups and all sorts of things" - obviously the circus is no stranger to violence. Country comment The recent events involving the young supporter being attacked by a circus employee must be seen for what it is, an attempt to stop protesters from trying to protect animals from people such as these. I am wary of any group that resorts to this sort of action as to me they seem to have something to hide when they act in this way. If I were that person I would have no hesitation in bringing charges against this aggressor, it seems to me that he had enough witnesses. I am an animal lover...but not a people lover...and I reckon if i was there, that young bloke would have had at least one person in there to back him up... I know you animal libbers are a peaceful bunch, but you must also look after your own, people wont back you up if you cant or wont do the same for them, Im just a sheila, and live in the bush, but you let me know when the next bout is on and Ill be there, maybe Ill bring some very big blokes with me A! I hope that next time you have your own video camera with you. Take care Terri T Watson Ed. Note: Point taken, but thankfully it didn't degenerate into a brawl. Any aggression by demonstrators would be focused on by the media and years of peaceful protests would be forgotten. Such is our society that our demonstrators would then be portrayed stereotypically as unemployed troublemakers. Activists have done much good work over the years and as such our demonstrations must always remain non- violent, we must use reason and logic to present our argument for improved animal rights and welfare. All are welcome to attend demonstrations, but we urge restraint when being abused and intimidated, only then do we win!
|
