some inspiration for the upcoming mobilizations in quebec city ... although with 34 world _leaders_ present, security and police repression promises to be intense ...

New Zealand Herald
12/09/00 - First round to protesters at Melbourne money forum
By GREG ANSLEY and NAOMI LARKIN

MELBOURNE - Thousands of protesters surging around Melbourne's Crown Casino effectively imprisoned some of the world's richest and most powerful corporate leaders yesterday.

It was the biggest demonstration Australia has seen since the Vietnam War.

Up to 10,000 protesters sealed off the casino - venue for the World Economic Forum - forcing police behind barricades, blocking busloads of delegates from getting in, and trapping others inside.

Five people were hurt, including a policeman who had a rib broken. One protester's foot was broken by a horse.

West Australian Premier Richard Court was trapped inside his car by swarming protesters who stomped on the roof, slashed the tyres and spray-painted the bodywork. Mr Court was not hurt.

Among those on the outside were New Zealand Green Party MPs Sue Bradford and Nandor Tanczos, who were there to protest, and National finance spokesman Bill English, who failed to get in.

The three-day event is organised by the Swiss-based World Economic Forum, which brings together business and Government heads to discuss the global economy.

The conference started late, with many delegates unable to attend because of the demonstrations.

Helicopters flew some to the venue, and others were ferried across the Yarra River by boat.

Protesters, organised by the S11 Alliance, began encircling the casino in driving rain and biting cold early in the morning, using highly organised tactics.

Marshals used mobile phones and bullhorns to direct protesters, frustrating police efforts to race buses through relatively unguarded entrances.

For most of the day, the mood of police and protesters was restrained, at times almost amiable, and jibes and jokes were exchanged.

The first injuries came when the demonstrators surged against police, who pushed back.

Protesters responded to the use of horses with a charge that forced them back against the barricades.

One protester holding on to the wire was punched several times in the stomach and forced to the ground by several policemen.

Another man had his face punched when he bit a policeman.

Mr Tanczos said the demonstrations were a success because the blockades covered all five entrances and "seriously disrupted" the forum.

"It was a really important demonstration of people power, of showing to the world that there is not agreement on this, that corporate globalism has not been adopted by everyone."

New Zealand Finance Minister Michael Cullen is due to attend the conference today.

Sue Bradford said that if he turned up, a contingent of protesting New Zealanders, including the two Green MPs, would try to stop him from entering.

Mr English told the Herald he arrived at the forum at 11.30 am and spent the next three hours walking around the venue trying to get in.

"The frustration with it is that the protesters have every right to put their point of view. But like a lot of people, I've come a long way and I just want to hear what's being said."

Although he was one of only a handful of people wearing suits, he did not feel threatened. He had not seen his fellow New Zealand MPs among the protesters.

"Nandor wouldn't stand out in this crowd, I'm the sore thumb."

A spokeswoman for Dr Cullen said yesterday that he had not decided if he would attend.

Last night as delegates dined at the casino, protesters remained outside, promising: "No one in, no one out."

Most had left by 8 pm, but the casino was forced to shut from 6 pm because of the protests.