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During a July 27, 2011 bail hearing, Victoria police admitted that confrontation was decided before protesters demonstrated. It followed meetings with Zionist organizations, the local government, shopping center management, and Max Brenner.
Palestinian solidarity is criminalized. So is BDS activism. Anyone supporting right over wrong is vulnerable. Doing it publicly may bring fines and jail. It also subjects activists to police brutality. Whether in Melbourne, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, or Jerusalem, criticizing Israel is dangerous.
Militarized police lash out violently. In Australia, America Europe, and elsewhere, special units have been trained. Designations include Special Operations Groups (SOGs). Critical Incident Response teams are part of the Victorian Police Force Response Unit Command.
Tactics used include close monitoring and infiltrating groups, as well as kettling. It involves confining demonstrations to small areas.
A Final Comment
Following last July's confrontation, Stop the War Coalition Sydney (SWCS) headlined "Support the Melbourne Boycott-Israel 19 Defence Campaign!" saying:
Attacking Palestinian rights activists "highlights increasing attempts to criminalise BDS and pro-Palestine solidarity activism internationally."
Hundreds in America and Europe face criminal charges for supporting what's right. Their civil liberties are violated. Melbourne's Herald Sun said a new 42-member "Public Order Response Team" was established for involvement in "breaking up public protests."
Representing the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid, civil liberties lawyer Rob Stary denounced the attacks and arrests. He said they show that "the new Victorian government is prepared to criminalise legitimate dissent."
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