Five arrests after Baxter break-in bid (immigration / Australia)

[struggle4progress]

A WOMAN trampled by police horses was among five people arrested when 450 protesters pushed down a barbed wire fence at Baxter Immigration Detention Centre yesterday.

As protesters complained of heavy handed tactics, police claimed they were attacked with lacrosse sticks and cricket bats outside the detention centre near Port Augusta. <snip>

The woman, from Queensland, was taken behind police lines where she was arrested with four other people, who yelled "free the refugees" as they were forced into caged vehicles.

She was treated in Port Augusta Hospital for minor soft-tissue injuries.

Protest spokesman Phil Chilton said there had been no violence by protesters. <snip>

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,12667066%5E662,00.html


Six arrested, woman trampled in Baxter protest

<snip> The trouble began as an organised protest about midday yesterday when 400 demonstrators, many carrying balloons, marched to the centre in a show of support for the 123 asylum-seeker detainees locked down inside.

But a smaller, frontline group carrying wire cutters and wearing heavy protective gloves cut through and trampled fences at the western corner of the heavily fortified desert immigration prison, leading the protesters through.

Protecting themselves inside a wrap of orange mesh security webbing, about 200 of the protesters marched across the flattened fence and across Commonwealth-owned scrub towards the centre until they were stopped by an organised response by police who walked into their path and blocked them off. <snip>

Easter Exodus, a Perth Christian group that initiated the call that has drawn protesters from around the country to the South Australian desert, plans to mark Easter by constructing a giant cross and painting across it the word "refugee". <snip>

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Immigration/Six-arrested-woman-trampled-in-Baxter-protest/2005/03/26/1111692681478.html?oneclick=true


Baxter protesters object to arrest over kite

Protesters have staged another noisy demonstration at the front gates of the Baxter detention centre in South Australia's north.

This time the peaceful protest was in response to the arrest of at least one woman who was caught attempting to fly a kite.

Police in buses and paddy-wagons stopped the protesters as they were making their way to the detention centre.

A Melbourne woman was arrested for flying a kite in restricted air space. <snip>

http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200503/1332016.htm?eyre


Two trampled, six arrested in Baxter clashes

<snip> Another man was arrested as police confronted a group of kite flyers at the main entrance to the detention centre.

Two protesters received medical treatment after they were reportedly trampled by police horses during a clash about 150 metres from the centre's boundary fence.

One has a suspected broken arm and the other required treatment after suffering stomach injuries. Last night, about 400 protesters again marched to the front gates to be met by police in full riot gear. <snip>

Demonstrators vowed to protest against the Government's mandatory detention policy until tomorrow.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Two-trampled-six-arrested-as-police-protesters-clash/2005/03/26/1111692685611.html?oneclick=true


Australian Protesters Oppose Mandatory Detention for Illegal Immigrants

<snip> The protesters are demanding an end to the government's controversial policy of mandatory detention for illegal immigrants.

In a separate demonstration Friday, about 300 protesters gathered outside the home of Australia's immigration minister, Amanda Vanstone, near the city of Adelaide.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-03-26-voa3.cfm