By Beavis Marks
BRISBANE — A public outcry has erupted over a police attack on an outdoor fundraising concert for community radio station 4ZzZ on October 19. More than 95 people were arrested and many members of the crowd injured.
A storm of criticism has erupted over the police behaviour and tactics at the event, and at the involvement of some military police. 4ZzZ has lodged an official complaint to the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC).
The 4ZzZ market day is a major fundraiser for this self-funding station. It began on October 19, as a peaceful event and a celebration of local music, performance and stalls. During the night a large police presence was seen outside the fence around Musgrave Park, and patrolling the area. There were a spate of random searches of participants and several arrests for alleged drug possession and other minor street offences. At around 9pm a storm hit and organisers were forced to close the event. Within 10 minutes half the crowd had left and police began to appear in larger numbers.
It is estimated that more than 100 police mobilised at the end of the day. There were many plain clothes (suspected Special Branch) police, several police dogs, two mounted police and police wearing riot gear.
Many of the crowd were still sheltering in tents waiting for the rain to stop when the police began ordering people out of the park. The police then formed a long line and began physically pushing the remaining crowd outside. They beat people with batons and arrested them. Despite the provocation there is no evidence that sections of the crowd retaliated, even though the police reported to the media that they were responding to a "riot situation".
The arrival of large numbers of police (including the Public Safety Response Team) at less than 10 minutes notice indicates that police were on stand-by for the attack. No police official has yet accepted responsibility.
4ZzZ spokesperson, Brendan Greenhill said that the police disregarded all agreements previously made with the event organisers and noted "the total unwillingness of the police to liaise on the night with previously identified 4ZzZ staff". Two 4ZzZ workers were injured by police while attempting to pack up equipment.
During the week, Queensland police minister Russel Cooper guaranteed the future of 4ZzZ market days. The Police union, however, has called for a ban on further market days. The union's president, Gary Wilkinson, said that "Every one of these things has been a disaster". There have been similar incidences of police violence at market days in the past and 4ZzZ is worried by the continual harassment of their fundraising events.
Since the incident, 4ZzZ has received over 80 statements from witnesses. The station is compiling legal statements for its CJC complaint. The military has conceded that their police should not have been present and are conducting an investigation which is expected to lead to no further action. Anyone who witnessed the incident or knows anything which could be of help, is asked to contact 4ZzZ on (07) 325 2155.