SPECIAL REPORT:THE real cause of last month's violent Redfern riots was the death of teenager Thomas "TJ" Hickey but perhaps only one element of the racism, harassment and bullying by the New South Wales police force and in this case Redfern police at the Block.
If I could turn back time, if I could find a way, I'd take back those words that hurt you and you'd stay.
Reporters who peddle racism in the Block hijacked public grief over the Aboriginal youth's death in the face of racism allegations leveled against police.
The Daily Telegraph misunderstands a series of events in the area on purpose, which had taken tension to breaking point.
I don't know why I did the things I did. I don't know why I said the things I said. Pride's like a knife it can cut deep inside. Words are like weapons they wound sometimes.
I didn't really mean to hurt you. I didn't wanna see you go. I know I made you cry, but baby.
Not a bad "con" by the State considering what you see is what you get and the people already have a better understanding of the racism and the events.
This is the twist!
Daily Telegraph: Not only did these 11 year old "super grass drug dealers" throw rocks at police they were protecting "their turf".
Shame on you Terror your really are a mongrel dog! And CH/7 Sunrise has got the gall to call these people "scumbags".
In contradiction the under 7s to under 13s rugby league Allblacks in Redfern are on top of the South Sydney juniors competition ladder.
So if I told CH/7 that the sky was green the losers would give me the benefit of the doubt if they liked me and if it suited them otherwise the sky is blue.
Well let me tell you at Sunrise the sky is blue. Funky!
If I could turn back time. If I could find a way. I'd take back those words that hurt you and you'd stay. If I could reach the stars. I'd give them all to you. Then you'd love me, love me, like you used to do. If I could turn back time.
Agitators in the government and the police force have been gearing up for a revenge attack on the Aboriginal Community at the Block after the riot because of their shame.
They won't say sorry but the community's awareness of the racism that exists in the force together with the more general rummer that the "State wants the land for re-development" is bound to raise tension.
The hype about the mentoring program by Redfern police is just all talk.
Members of the Aboriginal community had asked the police to do many things over the period between the riot and when the world began but the Daily Telegraph is trying to 'turn back time' taking past events out of context and reporting them as today's news retrospectively after the event.
So they are trying to re-frame it. Sorry Telegraph not even you can change history! Sounds like the Carr God to me! Echo, echo, echo.
The death of a citizen and the racism is just a misconception? No! A figment of our imagination? No! Where does this scourge emanate? Corporate Media? Yes!
My world was shattered. I was torn apart, like someone took a knife and drove it deep in my heart. You walked out that door. I swore that I didn't care but I lost everything darling, then and there.
Daily Telegraph 'reporters'? Or 'trouble makers'? They have a corporate interest to act for right wing extremists protecting police and supporting government agenda?
Channel 7 has taken up residency around the corner from Redfern police station and just to listen to police scanners all day waiting to report about the block.
So as a tool or arm of government the right wing extremist media declared all-out war against the Aboriginal community.
Police always have a legitimate reason to be there and they have blamed it on this and that and now 'this,' what for? Why lie? Further, why lie for police? Why hide the real reasons? How can we have practical outcomes if the real reason is being hidden away?
Police will tell people about their hunting story. About the 'one that got away'. The search warrant, 'the thug had gone to ground in a rabbit warren' access route linking the many derelict buildings in the area. Officers then decided to again raid, and making several arrests.
Run rabbit run? He'll get by without his rabbit pie!
A member of the community added: Because of "TJ's death there was anger.
The Daily Telegraph: Kids aged eight to 14 began stockpiling rocks and bricks in shopping trolleys and hid them behind buildings in the Block. When police arrived, missiles were thrown at them. Molotov cocktails and torn up paving slabs were also hurled.
Sources told GKCNN that every time police harassed them the youths retreated into the Block to seek support from their elders. It led to the police having to fend off wave after wave of attack. Nineteen arrests have now been made in relation to the riots.
One 13 year old arrested told me that he isn't a drug dealer he's still in school.
If I could turn back time. If I could find a way. Then baby, maybe, maybe you'd stay. If I could reach the stars.....
By Gregory Kable & Cher 9 March 04
Related:
PM in denial over Redfern Death in Custody
Prime Minister John Howard says treating Aborigines differently is contributing to violent confrontations with police. Howard has also blamed family breakdowns for recent incidents including last week's riot at Redfern in inner-Sydney after the death of Aboriginal teenager Thomas Hickey.
Redfern police 'need to be made accountable'
POLICE have no right to demand increased support to patrol Redfern in the wake of one of the worst death in custody cover-ups by police in Australian history.
TJ HICKEY MEMORIAL MARCH AND VIGIL
On TUESDAY 24th FEBRUARY 2004 to coincide with "TJ's" Funeral in Walgett. Gather at the Block at 9am March to Phillip Street Redfern, "Turanga Block" vigial at site of "TJ's" death. March to Redfern Police Station to leave list of demands regarding the enquiries into his death.
Payback over Redfern riot after death in custody
A 37 year-old woman will appear in court today charged over her alleged involvement in a riot in Redfern on Sunday night. The woman from Hurstville was arrested yesterday and has been charged with riot, throwing a missile, affray and violent disorder. She was refused bail and will appear in Redfern Local Court later today.
Was Thomas Hickey payback?
Yesterday it was alleged police faced a potentially deadly confrontation with locals of a redfern housing block last week when a gun was grabbed from an officer's holster and held to his stomach.
Daily Telegraph alleged opposition: Bulldozer
NSW Opposition leader John Brogden has said we just need a bulldozer and that'll fix the problem after Sunday's death in custody and subsequent riot at Redfern.
Riot in Redfern over death in custody
The reported claim that 50 police were injured during rioting in Redfern over a death in custody is nothing more than a counter claim required to balance the argument that Thomas Hickey wasn't chased to his death by police.
Fatal accident prompts police pursuit probe
A fatal car accident in New South Wales has prompted a review of the procedures police use during high-speed pursuits. Police say a man and a young girl were killed when a speeding car crashed head-on into another car at McGrath's Hill in Sydney's north-west.
The Australian Institute of Criminology has released the National Deaths in Custody Program annual report for 2002 Between January and December 2002, there was a total of 69 deaths in custody in Australia. There were 50 deaths in prison custody and 19 deaths in police custody and custody-related police operations.
Riot in Redfern over death in custody
The reported claim that 50 police were injured during rioting in Redfern over a death in custody is nothing more than a counter claim required to balance the argument that Thomas Hickey wasn't chased to his death by police.
Fatal accident prompts police pursuit probe
A fatal car accident in New South Wales has prompted a review of the procedures police use during high-speed pursuits. Police say a man and a young girl were killed when a speeding car crashed head-on into another car at McGrath's Hill in Sydney's north-west.
The Australian Institute of Criminology has released the National Deaths in Custody Program annual report for 2002 Between January and December 2002, there was a total of 69 deaths in custody in Australia. There were 50 deaths in prison custody and 19 deaths in police custody and custody-related police operations.
