Tuesday, 5 March 2013

WORLD: Sydney Mardi Gras Police Brutality



All details taken from the YouTube account:
Sydney Mardi Gras 2013 between 11- 11:30pm
Pavement just off Oxford St, Corner of Riley and Burton Street
Assaulting officer - FAIRFIELD LAC 266
The level of force used by this Officer is absolutely sickening. The fact that the man is cuffed, and is still THROWN to the floor with such force is horrific! It seems that no matter how many incidents of this sort happen around the world, Police Officers still think it's alright to use excessive force when dealing with incidents. No matter what had happened before the arrest, the force and aggression is totally unnecessary.

More taken from the YouTube account: 
Backstory:
I was a press photographer for the parade, walking along the backstreets shortly after it had concluded between 11pm and 11:30pm, we heard a man screaming for repeatedly for help.
Walking over we saw him being restrained by two police officers with another 4 in close proximity, he was repeatedly asking them "What have I done wrong?" which they would not respond, all they would say was "you are under arrest". 
He calling for people walking past to help him and with a large crowd of people began to surround the event.
He was struggling and resisting but not aggressively.
The officers told him to stop resisting to which he would reply "why are you doing this I haven't done anything?."The officer "FAIRFIELD LAC 266" then grabbed him by the back of the neck and slammed his head into the stone pavement, as he tried to get up he was then punched multiple times in the head, leaving blood all over the pavement. The crowd of people overlooking screaming at the officer to stop.
After seeing that I began filming.
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What I found most shocking about this event is that the other officers seem to be aware that the amount of force they are using was completely unmerited and excessive.So they hastily try to force me to stop filming.
As a press photographer I knew I was completely within my rights to film police officers in a public space, doing nothing wrong and breaking no laws, so I refused.
You will notice I ask multiple times why I am not allowed to film and what laws am I breaking and receive no response.
There were at least 6 officers in the immediate vicinity, the victim was only small and could have easily been restrained by the officers without injury.Instead they choice to force him into submission by repeatedly punching him and throwing him into the pavement.
You'll also hear him asking over and over what he has done wrong to which he doesn't get a response.   

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