POLICE DEFEND ACTION TO BREAK UP EAST WEST LINK PROTEST AT LEND LEASE HEADQUARTERS

Updated Wed 6 Nov 2013

 

Police have rejected claims they used excessive force against protesters demonstrating against the East West Link in the Docklands today.

Demonstrators formed a human chain at the headquarters of construction company Lend Lease in an attempt to block entry to employees.

But they were met with opposition by police.

They targeted Lend Lease because it is on the short list of possible builders for the $8 billion project. 

Organisers say they were pushed, kicked and in one case, punched in the head.

The protesters chanted "No tunnel, no way, we're going to fight it all the way."

"We demand Lend Lease stop all work on the project," one protester said.

Inspector Peter Ward says appropriate force was used.

"It's my opinion that police used reasonable force to facilitate access to the building for those that required it," he said.

"It was reasonable force in the circumstances to achieve what we needed to do."

Several protesters appear to have suffered minor injuries in the scuffles.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-06/police-defend-action-to-break-up-east-west-link-protest-at-lend/5073106?section=vic