Kyla
03-31-2004, 07:30 AM
Police spray students, arrest two
31mar04
POLICE used capsicum spray and arrested two men today as university students across the nation protested against fee increases.
The two men, aged 22 and 23, were arrested at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and were likely to be charged with malicious damage and trespass, police said.
About 600 people rallied at UTS as part of the national day of action to protest against fee increases introduced by the Howard government.
In Melbourne, students stormed the foyer of the RMIT's chancellory after hundreds marched through the city from 2pm this afternoon.
Police tried to stop the protesters but left the building after scuffles broke out.
It is believed about 30 students made their way into the vice-chancellor's office.
RMIT is one of the few Victorian universities yet to make a decision about raising fees.
In Sydney, a UTS spokesman said protesters had broken a door near the vice-chancellor's office.
"A number of protesters were sprayed, I believe, with capsicum spray," he said.
A police spokesman confirmed capsicum spray had been used.
He said he believed protesters had been armed with spray themselves and had used it against police.
'Ban spray'
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon today called for a review of the use of capsicum spray by police.
She said she had heard about 20 students were sprayed by the police with capsicum spray outside the vice-chancellor's office block.
"The fact that the students weren't given any warning that they were about to be sprayed could have resulted in a critical incident if any of the students suffered asthma," Ms Rhiannon said.
"Capsicum spray has been shown to cause death or serious illness in a number of cases in Australia and overseas and it is a disgrace that our police are using it without warning on protesting students.
"People have a right to protest in our society and the use of capsicum spray by police today on students should be condemned."
The president of Sydney University Students Representative Council, Felix Eldridge, condemned the use of spray on students.
"Police attacks on students were unnecessary; the use of pepper spray is not justified," he said.
"The heavy presence of armed police, horses and the riot squad, all waiting for students, made the rally unnecessarily hostile and provocative."
31mar04
POLICE used capsicum spray and arrested two men today as university students across the nation protested against fee increases.
The two men, aged 22 and 23, were arrested at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and were likely to be charged with malicious damage and trespass, police said.
About 600 people rallied at UTS as part of the national day of action to protest against fee increases introduced by the Howard government.
In Melbourne, students stormed the foyer of the RMIT's chancellory after hundreds marched through the city from 2pm this afternoon.
Police tried to stop the protesters but left the building after scuffles broke out.
It is believed about 30 students made their way into the vice-chancellor's office.
RMIT is one of the few Victorian universities yet to make a decision about raising fees.
In Sydney, a UTS spokesman said protesters had broken a door near the vice-chancellor's office.
"A number of protesters were sprayed, I believe, with capsicum spray," he said.
A police spokesman confirmed capsicum spray had been used.
He said he believed protesters had been armed with spray themselves and had used it against police.
'Ban spray'
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon today called for a review of the use of capsicum spray by police.
She said she had heard about 20 students were sprayed by the police with capsicum spray outside the vice-chancellor's office block.
"The fact that the students weren't given any warning that they were about to be sprayed could have resulted in a critical incident if any of the students suffered asthma," Ms Rhiannon said.
"Capsicum spray has been shown to cause death or serious illness in a number of cases in Australia and overseas and it is a disgrace that our police are using it without warning on protesting students.
"People have a right to protest in our society and the use of capsicum spray by police today on students should be condemned."
The president of Sydney University Students Representative Council, Felix Eldridge, condemned the use of spray on students.
"Police attacks on students were unnecessary; the use of pepper spray is not justified," he said.
"The heavy presence of armed police, horses and the riot squad, all waiting for students, made the rally unnecessarily hostile and provocative."