TEN people have been arrested in Sydney during violent clashes between police and protesters at a rally ahead of the arrival of US Vice-President Dick Cheney. The protest, organised by Stop the War Coalition at Town Hall, turned nasty when about 200 people attempted to break a line of police and march to the US Consulate in Martin Place. The officers, supported by a line of mounted police, held their positions as activists attempted to break through. Ten people were arrested in the scuffle with police which calmed after officers negotiated with organisers to allow the group to march on the footpath during busy peak hour traffic.
Superintendent Ron Mason, from The Rocks Local Area Command, said police supported the right to demonstrate as long as there was no disruption to the community. He said an application from the demonstrators was received but it was unreasonable for demonstrators to block busy streets during peak hour. "Police have been negotiating for days with this group and they agreed to hold a static demonstration at Town Hall," Supt Mason said. "As you can see they rescinded that, a number of speakers got on the microphone to attempt to ensure the protesters broke the police line and to block the roadway.
"It's not on."