Readers will recall that in September last year, well-known Brisbane
peace activist Mr Jim Dowling, complained that he was unlawfully
arrested and bashed by police at a public debate. The debate about a
national ID card, between Federal Member for Dickson and former Queensland
policeman, Peter Dutton, and Vice-President for the Queensland Council for
Civil Liberties, Terry O'Gorman, was held at the Queensland University of
Technology.
Last Thursday, Jim Dowling was acquitted of the charges relating to his
arrest. The magistrate gave her judgement to a crowded courtroom that included
Mr Dowling's friends, family and supporters. With respect to Mr Dowling's
arrest under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 – Section 444, she
concluded that no offence was committed, the police had no power to arrest Mr
Dowling in the first place and that he had done nothing to warrant reasonable
suspicion. The magistrate found that Mr Dowling did not yell out, despite the
police and security guards swearing under oath that he “yelled out in a clear
and audible voice”.
O'Gorman, also a witness in the trial, said he "saw Jim Dowling
standing at the debate with the placard 'Peter Dutton Supports Terrorism'. He
was just standing there. He didn't call out or move and the Magistrate's
decision reflects this version.” The case raises serious issues about civil
liberties and freedom of speech in the age of terror, says O'Gorman. “The
scenario I saw unravel was utterly unacceptable and similar to the oppressive
police tactics of the Joh era”, he said. “I intend to ensure the complaint is
dealt with at a State and Federal level". Even if Jim Dowling had called
out during the debate, "it is not unlawful to heckle and disagree at a
public meeting”.
Mr Dowling did not enter into an argument for costs, and said he felt
“indifferent” when questioned about the trial's outcome. “I was a little
surprised by the jubilation outside the court after my 'victory' ... I guess I
was totally confident of winning anyhow, given that I had nine witnesses,
including the former Attorney-General and now Dean of the QUT Faculty of Law,
Michael Lavarch, who said I did not make a sound during the meeting until I was
dragged into the next room by police.” Mr Dowling has lodged a complaint to the
Crime and Misconduct Commission. He and three other defendants have been
arraigned for trial in the Northern Territory for conducting protest actions at
the Pine Gap Military Base late last year.
It is doubtful that any of the hundred or so students who squeezed into
a lecture theatre at the University of Queensland for an ASIO recruitment
information session this week (protected by a dozen burly Queensland police and
university security guards outside keeping a vigilant watch for the likes of Mr
Dowling) could care less. Not surprising in this one-paper town. According to
Mr Dowling, in a statement written after the trial, “a reporter for the Courier-Mail
put a lot of work into the original incident last year only to have his article
canned by the editors”.
It reminds me
It reminds me of the good old days protesting at anti-Vietnam war rallies... and other peaceful occasions...
Education with the truncheon...
carry on the peaceful protests
21 division relics .....
Yes Gus.
I would have thought that all the neanderthals from the old 21 division & their ilk would have retired by now?
But obviously a few relics moved north to a more accommodating clime.
the dunny is out the back .....
Hey Gus …..
the dunny is out the back ……
on
GetUp
justice catches up .....
From yesterday’s Crikey
Megan Yarrow writes …..
Readers will recall that in September last year, well-known Brisbane
peace activist Mr Jim Dowling, complained that he was unlawfully
arrested and bashed by police at a public debate. The debate about a
national ID card, between Federal Member for Dickson and former Queensland
policeman, Peter Dutton, and Vice-President for the Queensland Council for
Civil Liberties, Terry O'Gorman, was held at the Queensland University of
Technology.
Last Thursday, Jim Dowling was acquitted of the charges relating to his
arrest. The magistrate gave her judgement to a crowded courtroom that included
Mr Dowling's friends, family and supporters. With respect to Mr Dowling's
arrest under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act 2000 – Section 444, she
concluded that no offence was committed, the police had no power to arrest Mr
Dowling in the first place and that he had done nothing to warrant reasonable
suspicion. The magistrate found that Mr Dowling did not yell out, despite the
police and security guards swearing under oath that he “yelled out in a clear
and audible voice”.
O'Gorman, also a witness in the trial, said he "saw Jim Dowling
standing at the debate with the placard 'Peter Dutton Supports Terrorism'. He
was just standing there. He didn't call out or move and the Magistrate's
decision reflects this version.” The case raises serious issues about civil
liberties and freedom of speech in the age of terror, says O'Gorman. “The
scenario I saw unravel was utterly unacceptable and similar to the oppressive
police tactics of the Joh era”, he said. “I intend to ensure the complaint is
dealt with at a State and Federal level". Even if Jim Dowling had called
out during the debate, "it is not unlawful to heckle and disagree at a
public meeting”.
Mr Dowling did not enter into an argument for costs, and said he felt
“indifferent” when questioned about the trial's outcome. “I was a little
surprised by the jubilation outside the court after my 'victory' ... I guess I
was totally confident of winning anyhow, given that I had nine witnesses,
including the former Attorney-General and now Dean of the QUT Faculty of Law,
Michael Lavarch, who said I did not make a sound during the meeting until I was
dragged into the next room by police.” Mr Dowling has lodged a complaint to the
Crime and Misconduct Commission. He and three other defendants have been
arraigned for trial in the Northern Territory for conducting protest actions at
the Pine Gap Military Base late last year.
It is doubtful that any of the hundred or so students who squeezed into
a lecture theatre at the University of Queensland for an ASIO recruitment
information session this week (protected by a dozen burly Queensland police and
university security guards outside keeping a vigilant watch for the likes of Mr
Dowling) could care less. Not surprising in this one-paper town. According to
Mr Dowling, in a statement written after the trial, “a reporter for the Courier-Mail
put a lot of work into the original incident last year only to have his article
canned by the editors”.