Shelley does APEC.. Well the Protest March!

I always love a good protest march, but this one I was disappointed in.. The police presence sucked big time! They were completely rude and intimidating. The speeches could hardly be heard for all the helicopters and the mass of Police Lockup Buses was inappropriate and completely out of proportion. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact it was non-violent and that if it did get violent there were Police to protect people and property, but why the rude and intimidating police force against people who had not shown any such signs of violent behaviour? (BTW, I say people and property, but I don't think that in the event of a crazy protester wielding a knife, that they would allow us refuge behind their lines!)

No one was causing trouble, in fact I'm sure there is much more trouble each year at Mardi Gras. At least there the police politely wave you off on the right direction.

The thing that also really pissed me off was the fact that the march limited to a length of 2 blocks! I didn't care if we had to march away from the APEC security zone to Central! I felt my right to protest was squashed - it was pathetic!

The police funnelled the 10,000 strong crowd into Hyde Park via a pedestrian footpath. We had no choice, a bus on one side, a shoulder to shoulder police line on the other... what was completely stupid is that once I made it into Hyde Park, I walked around and stood behind the Police line.. what was the point of not allowing the protesters on Park St through Hyde Park when they can walk around the edge of the Police line to stand in almost the same spot? Who knows!

Eventually the Police line was moved back when they realised the stupid plan they had made. Clearly the flow of protesters off the road was hampered by their funnel effect. This was eventually done of course, but not before the water-cannon and police force pushed the march on from the back.

I understand the need for protection of the 21 world leaders of APEC. What I don't understand is why our city has been turned into a police state, with laws that can be used at any time the government wants! These laws have no sunset clause! This should be our real concern!