27 police officers from Victoria and interstate required
medical treatment following the protests. The behaviour of
protesters was criticized by both the Police Chief Commissioner
Shane Patton and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan. More than
1,000 protesters lit fires, blocked traffic and clashed with
police.

Disgraceful behaviour

If you're genuine in protesting against
violence, against arms, against war, -
you don't go out and arm yourself and attack and behave
violently against those whose
job it is to defend and keep us safe from violence and harm -
the police.

Hi Foxy,

Been a good evening at our place, with a few muso friends around for a little get together, a glass or two of vino, eaties, been good fun as everyone joined in, lovely evening outside, all out the back now "chewing the fat". Watched a friends and his groups latest short ammeter film production 7 minutes, about a grandfather 79, and his 17 year old granddaughter trapped together in a doomsday room, after a nuclear attack, a powerful production, in the final 8 for an award. Reminded me that my wife joined "Playing For Change" some years back, a world wide group of muso's who want to promote peace and harmony all over the world through music, they also produce some terrific stuff, here's a couple that gets 10 out of 10 from me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xjPODksI08

Dear Paul,

Thanks for sharing your happy get-together and for the
music links. Get togethers can brings us so much joy.
They re-vitalize us. And music has such a deep impact.
I remember the impact that Lennon's "Imagine," had on
me. As did Farnham's "The Voice," Paul Simon's "The
Sound of Silence," to name just a few.

I took part in the anti-Vietnam War Protests. I protested
against the Soviet occupation OF Sovereign states. Against
the Soviet Regime. "Ruskie Go Home!" I've donated money to
help Ukraine in its fight for freedom. I've donated to
Indigenous causes, and the list goes on.

I believe in legitimate peaceful right of protest. However,
the recent protests here in Melbourne ended up being
totally unacceptable. The behaviour was wrong - and did
not win support or empathy

“Nothing better epitomises the Greens’ contribution to the national debate than protesters who support its causes by hurling horse manure and garbage bins around the streets of Melbourne” one commentator says. (Paywalled).

But it was much worse than that. The sh.t was specifically brought to the event - dog and human sh.t, with urine and other ‘unknown’ liquids in balloons.

25,000 idiots were expected to behave like animals, but only between one and two thousand managed to turn up, according to police.

As usual, a small minority of seriously disturbed people get the publicity they crave, knowing there is no way an ultra-Left Victorian government will do much, if anything, about their behaviour.

I'm sure that all of us should be able to agree
that bad behaviour is bad behaviour no matter
which side of politics behaves badly.
We should not try to condone bad behaviour by saying
"Ah well, it was "them" not "us," behaving badly.

There should not be any excuses and no "Them" and
"Us." in doing what's plainly wrong.

Hi Foxy,

I've been told that there were hot heads on both sides at that protest, some radical protesters went too far, and some police retaliation was excessive against several people who were non-violent. As I wasn't there I can't say what the haps really is. I have experienced agent provocateurs (Neo-Nazi trouble makers at anti-war demos) just out to make trouble, and I've experienced seeing police over react. However I wont justify violence by any means.

I'm sure ttbn, like other extremists from his side of politics will exaggerate the facts where it suits.

p/s Glad you enjoyed the music, you hit the nail on the head with those 3 songs.