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Aboriginal Law Bulletin

Aboriginal Law Bulletin (ALB)
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Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "Eveleigh Street 'Riot'" [1988] AboriginalLawB 45; (1988) 1(34) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 2


Eveleigh Street “Riot”

Friday 26 August is a concrete reminder of the police harassment which led to the formation of the Aboriginal Legal Services in the 1970s. Terry Morgan, an ALS office manager was visiting a friend in Caroline Street when he heard a police vehicle screeching up and down Lewis Lane. The vehicle had no lights on and drove dangerously, threatening people who were relaxing in a vacant corner block. Mr Morgan approached the police, showed his ALS ID, and suggested that their presence was likely to stir trouble. The police, including the officer in charge, refused to identify themselves. Several other police vehicles arrived on the scene. The police claimed they were following up a bag-snatching incident at Redfern Train Station.

The Tactical Response Group, organised in three parallel line formations, marched forward banging their batons on their shields. They hit out randomly at women, children, whoever was in the vicinity. In response some of the children threw stones. Witnesses attested that police knocked an innocent bystander to the ground; a woman went to his assistance and she too was assaulted (names withheld). Another woman had her front teeth knocked out - she fell unconscious (name withheld). Most of those present were injured.

Terry Morgan and 4 others were arrested. At no time was he informed that he was under arrest. All of those arrested were charged under the Summary Offences Act 1988. Mr Morgan found out on Monday morning in court that he was to be charged with assaulting police, throwing missiles, and grievous bodily harm to a female police officer - in addition to offensive language and resisting arrest. Civil action is being taken against the Police Commissioner by Mr Morgan and others assaulted, as the individual officers involved could not be identified.

Mr Morgan commented that "Redfern is used as a training ground for the Tactical Response Group. They can test the Summary Offences legislation, and show how powerful they are against crowds."


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