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Saturday, September 15, 2012

ARRESTS MADE AFTER POLICE OFFICERS INJURED AT ANTI-ISLAMIC FILM PROTEST IN SYDNEY CBD

Police use tear gas
OC spray used ... Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: The Daily Telegraph
Protest involves children
A child is seen holding a sign at the violent protests in Sydney. Photo: @jttozer, Twitter Source: Supplied
PRIME Minister Julia Gillard has condemned a violent demonstration over an anti-Islam film in Sydney's CBD.
Eight people were arrested at the demonstration, the latest in a spate of protests at US embassies and consulates in the Middle East, Africa, Britain and elsewhere over a film that ridicules Prophet Mohammed.
Ms Gillard said violent protest was unacceptable.
"Violent protest is never acceptable - not today, not ever," she said in a statement on Saturday,
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell condemned the violent protests and promised that those responsible would be punished.
"This is completely unacceptable behaviour," Mr O'Farrell told AAP.
"Those responsible should expect to face full legal consequences for their irresponsible and unwarranted actions."

Hundreds clash at Islam film protest

Police have used pepper spray on protesters after a demonstration against an anti-Islam video turned violent in Sydney's CBD.


Opposition Leader Tony Abbott echoed the premier's comments telling Seven News: "Violence is never, never acceptable. Yes people have a right to peaceful protest but the kind of violence we saw in Sydney today was completely, utterly, absolutely, unacceptable.
"People who were responsible for it (the violence) should be held to account and people who have broken the law must be prosecuted."
Violent Sydney protest
A rioter smashes a police window with a milk crate in the Islamic riots in the CBD of Sydney. Picture: Jane Dempster Source: The Daily Telegraph
Police allege that protestors threw a number of glass bottles and other missiles at police during the incident in Martin Place, forcing officers to deploy OC spray in an attempt to subdue and disperse the crowd.
Six police officers were injured as a result of the incident.
Two protesters were taken to hospital for treatment after sustaining dog bites and 17 other people were treated at the scene for the effects of OC spray.
Police arrested eight people in relation to the incident. They will be charged with a range of offences including affray, assault police, and resist arrest.
Police injured in protest
Police injured ... at an Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney from Hyde Park to George Street. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: The Daily Telegraph
City Central Local Area Commander, Superintendent Mark Walton condemned the actions of protest organisers and the crowd.
"In NSW there is a right to peaceful protest - a right to express our view - but there are rules to follow," Supt Walton said.
"This group did not advise police of their plans, there was little or no organisation or control of what they were doing, and their actions were disgraceful."
The protest - which follows riots around the world - started at about midday when about 100 people - including women and babies - gathered at Town Hall, marched through Hyde Park and along to Phillip Street, chanting, "Down, down USA" for almost three hours.
Violence erupts
Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney from Hyde Park to George Streets. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: The Daily Telegraph
As protesters started to leave Hyde Park towards St James station, riot police with batons and shields were waiting for them at the park exit. Protesters began throwing sticks and bottles at the police.
Sydney Riot police, mounted police and uniformed officers pursued protesters down William Street towards Kings Cross as one protester was seen throwing a milk crate at a police car.
The already splintered crowd then broke up further, running through the back streets of Darlinghurst.
A small group collected in a side street, where they were cornered by police who told them to leave the area in separate directions, in groups of three or four.
Sydney protest turns violent
Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney from Hyde Park to George Street. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: The Daily Telegraph
A NSW Ambulance Service spokeswoman said 13 crews were on the scene at Hyde Park.
Paramedics were treating people for minor injuries and "decontamination", she said.
Violent Sydney protest
Islamic riots in the CBD of Sydney get out of control. Picture: Jane Dempster Source: The Daily Telegraph
Protest organisers - who used social media to corral the protesters to Town Hall - said the aim of the demonstration was designed to be peaceful.
They stopped to pray and knelt on the ground in between speeches and protest chants.
An organiser, who asked to be identified as Sam, told the Sunday Telegraph that the rally was intended to be peaceful.
Violence erupts
Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney from Hyde Park to George Streets. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: The Daily Telegraph
"If someone attacked any religion - if Jesus was attacked tomorrow, we would be back here," he said.
When asked whether the protest had been authorised through council, Sam confirmed that it hadn't because the group was unfamiliar with the rules surrounding demonstrations.
Violent Sydney protest
Demonstrators in the CBD of Sydney. Picture: Jane Dempster Source: The Daily Telegraph
He said police had been respectful towards the protesters and described the instances of violence, which saw at least one officer injured, as regrettable.
The mob had been whipped up into a frenzy when a man began yelling at the crowd, screaming: "Shame on you for using religion to advocate for murder."
The protesters then turned on the man and attacked him with water bottles before rushing towards him.
Protest turns violent
Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney from Hyde Park to George Streets. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: The Daily Telegraph
One man attempted to punch him, however police intervened.
Protest organisers vowed to return and continue their demonstrations.
In prayer
Islamists join to pray in Hyde Park after riots in the CBD of Sydney. Picture: Jane Dempster Source: The Daily Telegraph
Protesters, including children, held signs saying, "Behead all those who insult the prophet" and "Obama Obama, we love Osama", and threw objects from construction sites and water bottles at police officers.
Police responded by spraying capsicum spray into the crowd.
Speaking to those gathered, one protester said: "The person who made this video, we want him held responsible.



"And we send a message to the guard pigs (police) ... we want our brothers back."Several CBD streets, including the intersection of Martin Place and Castlereagh, parts of George Street and Market Street were shut down while protestors moved through the city, causing traffic chaos.
Some bus services were delayed and diverted, but services are now returning to normal. Motorists are warned to expect some delays.

Arrests made
Islamic protest in the streets of Sydney from Hyde Park to George Streets. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: The Daily Telegraph

The video Innocence of Muslims was produced in the US but has been condemned by US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, who said the film had nothing to do with the government, and it emerged the clip was a trailer for a movie that did not exist.Witnesses have captured photos of the protest on Twitter, which has been trending with the hashtag #sydneyriot today. Some photos show children holding signs saying: "Behead those that insult the prophet".
CBD protest
Police officer injured in Sydney CBD protest. Picture: Channel 10 Source: Supplied

Sydney protest turns ugly in CBD

Marchers have injured police in an unauthorised protest in the CBD after they descended on the US consulate in the wake of anti-American sentiment over an 'insulting' anti-Islamic film portraying the prophet Muhammad as a womaniser and paedophile.

  1. craigtheatheist
    “@ABCNews24: A protest is underway outside the US Embassy in Sydney's CBD. ABC reporter @emmapollard11 is there” pic.twitter.com/7tuC8iqa

  2. yoni_bashan
    Chaos in the CBD - police injured. Protesters sprayed. pic.twitter.com/YxNKOOSS

  3. DavidBegnaud
    PHOTO: Major protest at US consulate in Sydney .. Police swarming from everywhere RT @postboxadam pic.twitter.com/QpjYirxY

  4. joshbavas
    Protesters throwing bottles at Police, Sydney. pic.twitter.com/vlbwYlex

  5. GOPfashionista
    RT“@Adam_Williams_: Sydney's Spring #protest #riot instagr.am/p/PlYZNNS9gB/#USembassy #Sydney

  6. GOPfashionista
    RT“@Adam_Williams_: Sydney I'm afraid this is our new back yard #sydney #protest instagr.am/p/PlYBkoS9vz/#USembassy

  7. apiotrowski
    RT @MatthewSnelson: Protest Sydney CBD against anti- Muslim film. Police and protesters hurt. See it all @9NewsSyd pic.twitter.com/L19UHNNf

  8. joshbavas
    Protestors calling for prayer during Sydney protest. "let out brothers go" says protest speaker to police. pic.twitter.com/NZP3Z2Jk

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