05 May 2015

News Brace for Friday night commuting chaos as protesters hit the CBD

Protesters march through the CBD which has forced the closure of roads for the commute ho
Protesters march through the CBD, closing city streets. Picture: Alex Coppel
  • LIVE COVERAGE: Thousands of protesters gather at City Square
  • FOLLOW: Updates during the eveing, including transport alerts
  • PHOTOS: Social media straight from the protest
  • HAVE YOUR SAY: Scroll down to share your views
MELBOURNE commuters experienced a long journey home after thousands of protesters stormed the CBD this evening. 

The city was shut down for about two hours in scenes that were a repeat of a rally which caused chaos less than a month ago.

Indigenous leaders earlier today told commuters to “get used to” the disruptions.

Dozens of police were in place at City Square on Swanston St.

Thousands of protesters formed a wide circle in the middle of the Flinders and Swanston St intersection where they arrived just before Friday evening peak hour.

An organiser determinedly cried for media as well as police on foot and horseback to “step back” in an attempt to widen the rally’s reach.

The protesters then sat as if at campfire watching a series of indigenous dances before a key note address from a man campaigning, like the rest, against the closure of Aboriginal communities.

ANDREW BOLT: Today’s CBD protest an ‘act of aggression’

GALLERY: Protest shuts down city
Aboriginal City Protest
Thousands of protesters rally outside Flinders St Station which has forced the closure of roads for the commute home. Picture: Alex Coppel
 
A wide demographic including elderly men and women, indigenous and non-indigenous Australians as well as young adults and children were in attendance at what was a peaceful demonstration.

The smell of a burning essence filled one of the CBD’s busiest junctions around which there were consequent road closures.

At the corners of the demonstration there was a moving rugby maul of regular CBD commuters trying to find spaces outside the corner pub to cross the road and access the train station.

Earlier today, Chairman of the Northwest Region Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Board and Dja Dja Wurrung
Elder Gary Murray said he understood commuter frustrations.

“Try being frustrated when you lose your home,” Mr Murray said.

“Try being frustrated when they cut off your water supply and your electricity. I wouldn’t be worried about 45 minutes and being late for dinner.’’

The rally will aim to raise awareness about the forced closures of aboriginal communities, particularly in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Nathaniel
moderator
The protest will continue down to kings domain where they plan to stage a two-day sit in, an organiser has just told the crowd.
Nathaniel
moderator
The protest continues, commuters are accessing Flinders St Station without problem but trams are blocked along Flinders and Swanston streets
Nicholas Payne
@nicholas_paynefrom Twitter
Looks like @yarratrams are already preparing for the commuter crush at Fed Square. @theheraldsun http://twitter.com/nicholas_payne/status/594015175348334592/photo/1

news.com.au 1 May 2015

Interesting how blogger Andrew Bolt, calls the protest an act of aggression.

Is protesting for workers rights also an act of aggression?

 The corporation conglomerate commonly known as the government commits acts of passive aggression everyday against the masses.

 Aggression came from the landing of the First Fleet against the Indigenous Inhabitants of Australia, in the form of Martial Law, acts of murder, genocide, false imprisonment, theft of children, which is still going on until this very day.

 This all occurs with the 'blessing' of the monarchy.
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