Qld: Beattie calls for peaceful protest

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2001
Qld: Beattie calls for peaceful protest

GOLD COAST, Qld, April 30 AAP - Police would act against anyone who broke the law at
tomorrow's M1 anti-globalisation rally in Brisbane, authorities warned today.

Premier Peter Beattie said the Queensland government supported people's democratic
right to protest.

However, authorities would not stand by and allow the protest to become violent, he said.

"If people peacefully protest tomorrow in accordance with the law, then they have nothing
to fear from the police or the government," he told reporters outside a cabinet meeting
on the Gold Coast.

"But if they break the law then the people of Queensland would expect us to enforce the law."

Mr Beattie admitted the government was trying to play down the protest, which organisers
say could attract up to 5,000 people and shut down sections of Brisbane's CBD for three
hours.

"I know there are some who would like to use the potential for conflict as a means
of attracting people to their rally tomorrow," he said.

Mr Beattie, who was involved in demonstrations in his youth, said he did not think
it was fair for protesters to intimidate police in any way.

AAP bja/sc/arb/br

KEYWORD: M1 QLD BEATTIE

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