AUSTRALIA: MELBOURNE: VIOLENCE ERUPTS AT WEF

(11 Sep 2000) Natural Sound

Violence has erupted at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Melbourne, Australia.

Protestors have clashed with police and the State Premier of Western Australia, Richard Court, has had to be rescued after demonstrators surrounded his car.

In scenes reminiscent of the last world economic Summit in Seattle: peaceful protest against world globalization has turned into street violence.

Hundreds of demonstrators trying to blockade the Crown Casino in Melbourne where world business leaders are gathering, have been involved in clashes with baton-weilding police.

Mounted police were quickly brought in to try and split the crowd.

Police fought for more than thirty minutes to regain order.

The building is virtually surrounded by demonstrators protesting everything from ecological issues to the perceived power of big business.

After police regained control they allowed one demonstrator to rally the crowd through a megaphone.

She urged them to reunite in a further action against police.

Meanwhile those injured in the first clash were given medical attention on the spot.

Mounted police reinforcements were then brought in to try and control a protest march further along the street.

Amongst those singled out for the demonstrators' wrath was Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, for his stance on genetically modified crops.

The demonstrators' tactics are to try and block the main entrances to the economic summit.

Police are forming a human chain to ensure delegates can still reach the building without further disturbance.

Earlier, hundreds of police backed by helicopters, had flooded into downtown Melbourne to be greeted by protestors' placards promising a non violent demonstration.

Those camping out in a tented village near the summit venue spent the night quietly getting their message across
by distributing leaflets and painting graffiti on a nearby bridge.

But despite the hopes of the protest organisers, violence has now taken over from peaceful protest.

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