Real issue overshadowed
Police officers who worked at last Easter’s violent
protest at the Woomera Detention Centre unfortunately had it all to look
forward to again this year, albeit at a different location.
An April 7 Advertiser article claimed that protesters
from across Australia would outnumber police 10 to one. As they worked to
maintain order last year, many officers were physically injured, and so might
have felt little enthusiasm about returning this year. However, police across
the state had their leave cancelled over the Easter period so they would be
available to go to Baxter at a minute’s notice, should things turn nasty.
Looking back over video footage from last year’s clash
(which showed the violent release of refugees from the Woomera Detention
Centre), it was not surprising those holding genuine concerns for refugees were
hesitant in returning this year.
Other groups that attended Baxter claimed their aim was to
bring attention to the plight of the refugees. That’s fair enough, but
what essentially happens, and this is no secret, is that attention focuses
solely on physical clashes between protesters and police, while the issue of
refugees barely gets a mention. Compare this with the massive, peaceful
“no war” protests that were held around the world in the past few
weeks. Most passed without violence, and still drove their message home.
Conversely, from Baxter, we saw pictures that resembled scenes
from The Lord of the Rings: shielded police on horseback fending off
heavily-tattooed, hooded men with pulsing veins. This clearly shows how
attention is shifted from the refugees to scenes of violence.
These protest groups may have lost supporters over the way
they presented their case to the public. Many in the community would have
empathized with the police, who had to leave their families at Easter to face
spitting, hysterical mobs, who hurled their anger at officers in the form of
rocks and urine bombs.
Superintendent Bristow summed it up in a press release.
“I am very proud of the conduct of our members throughout the entire
operation,” he said. “They worked in difficult conditions for long
hours and did everything asked of them and more. The Mounted Operations Unit
with their horses in particular did a magnificent job.”
And what message will this type of protest action send home to
federal politicians? It will now be all too easy for them to focus their
comments on the clashes, which have overshadowed the real issue.
Andy Dunn is on leave
