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LISMORE
BREAK & ENTER |
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PROTESTERS MOVED ON BY POLICE
 A
very small group of protesters gathered this morning at the Rous
Water Corndale fluoride dosing plant.
Police were called to
the site as protesters peacefully blocked a crane's access. Police
left a short time later leaving the job open as they expected to be
called back later in the day - and they were right.
Shortly
prior to the arrival of a truck transporting equipment to the site,
one protester's vehicle seemingly broke down causing an obstruction
in the middle of the road. The driver would not let anyone push the
vehicle off the road. Police were recalled.
No vehicles could
pass until such time as a parked vehicle was moved forcing passing
motorists to drive
 partially into a ditch. As there was no urgency
at the time, police gave the driver of the broken down vehicle the benefit of the doubt when
she stated she called a tow truck to come and move the vehicle. A
tow truck arrived a short time later.
The
parked crane was then required to enter the site prior to arrival of
a large truck so it could unload its cargo. The protesters moved to
cause considerable obstruction and delay its progression
considerably. Police herded them back slowly until the crane could
access the site.
There were
initially two police officers on site herding the protesters before
the first backup arrived and then a senior supervisor a short time
later.
The large truck carrying cargo to be delivered at the
site arrived while the crane was being slowly escorted into the
site. It parked by the side of the road until such time as police
could escort it to the front gate so it could be unloaded using the
crane. Protesters also slowed the large truck but were again moved back.
It was quite unnerving to watch as some very young children were used as part of
the protest activity. Children were stepping in front of or being carried in front
of the large trucks. Such vehicles could lunge forward accidently and
cause serious injury particularly when moving so close to the front
of the vehicle as it was moving forward.
Once the truck was where it needed to be, some fencing was put
in place and protesters just sat helplessly as the truck was
unloaded.
Things appeared a little chaotic at times and police seemed
quite reluctant to act forcefully with the many cameras around.
Protesters were heard discussing options including how getting
arrested would result in good media coverage. Police appeared quite
calm and professional throughout the protest action.
Without legislative change, which now seems quite
unlikely, it appears fluoride will be in our water in the very near
future.
Published 14 April 2015 |
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