05.44 am, Friday May 25 2012

Protest anger over Perth tent camp removal

Friday, February 24, 2012
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Aboriginal protesters have angrily confronted police and council rangers who moved in on their "tent embassy" in Perth to dismantle tents and put out a campfire.

More than 60 police and 10 rangers arrived at Heirisson Island at 5.30pm (WST) on Thursday to enforce a council order to move the tents and cars from a public reserve.

When the protesters refused to dismantle their tents, rangers moved in to take them down as dozens of police officers stood by to prevent them being hindered.

The tents were packed onto a flat-bed truck and as it was driven off under police escort. Protesters chanted "shame, shame" and accused officers of being racist.

An angry confrontation occurred when rangers next moved in to extinguish the main campfire as 30 police officers stood around them.

Protesters jostled with police and shouted abuse as the rangers finished their job.

Officers on horseback then moved in to escort the rangers and officers from the site.

As the police left the reserve protesters shouted "shame on you" and "get off our land".

Earlier, protesters drove their cars off the reserve when told the vehicles would be impounded if they did not.

Inspector Bill Munnee told reporters police respected the protesters' right to protest.

"We are not here to take sides. We are here to keep the peace," he said.

The protesters set up the camp 12 days ago in protest against a proposed West Australian government native title settlement deal with the Noongar people of the state's south-west.

Inspector Munnee said one man was arrested for assaulting a public officer.

Council officials have said the protesters can be on the land but must not set up tents or have cars on the public reserve.

 

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