Ten G20 protesters convicted but spared jail

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[[corporate media repost]]
Emily Power
Herald Sun newspaper
April 14, 2008

TEN protesters have been convicted but spared jail time for their part in the violent G20 riots, for behaviour described as "defiant" and "aggressive".

Magistrate Sarah Dawes today told the court they had shown a callous disregard for the wellbeing of police.

Melbourne Magistrates Court heard police were outnumbered and attacked by demonstrators trying to get to delegates at the Group of 20 nations summit at Melbourne's Grand Hyatt Hotel in November, 2006.

The ten protesters pleaded guilty to charges including riot, criminal damage, and recklessly causing injury. Half were sentenced to community-based orders involving unpaid work of between 180 and 250 hours, and others were given wholly suspended prison terms.

Ms Dawes described their behavior as defiant and aggressive, and showing contempt for police.

Protesters tried to break a police blockade at Collins St, pushing barricades at police and hurling wheelie bins and milk crates.

A policewoman suffered a serious elbow injury when she was hit a barricade thrown by protesters Julia Dehm, Danya Bryx, David Jorm, and David Caldwell, the court heard.

Metal poles and bottles were launched at police during a later riot involving a police brawler van. The van was destroyed by protesters as police cowered behind it, sheltering from a hail of glass shards.

Ms Dawes told the court she agreed with protestor Eric Palsis, who told to police that the brawler van attack was "frightening, ugly, and chaotic".

The magistrate said some of the demonstrators were intelligent university students with a passion for social justice and the environment.

"You are entitled to hold your views, these proceedings are a result of your attack on the people entrusted to protect our society," Ms Dawes said.

Some of the defendants wrote letters to Ms Dawes explaining their reasons for protesting the G20 summit, which involves finance ministers and banking representatives from the world's richest nations.

Ms Dawes said some of the protesters were involved spontaneously, but others had pre-planned their role by wearing bandanas as a disguise.

Ms Dawes said she did not agree with the prosecution that some of the protesters should be sentenced to jail immediately.

Eric Palsis, 38, was convicted and sentenced to five months jail suspended, and fined $1000. Danya Bryx, 24, was convicted and sentenced to nine months jail suspended for 18 months, and fined $3000. Julia Dehm, 25, was convicted and sentenced to seven months jail suspended for 18 months, and fined $3000. David Jorm, 26, was convicted and sentenced to nine months jail suspended for 18 months, and fined $4000. David Caldwell, 30, convicted and sentenced to six months jail suspended for 18 months, and fined $2000.

Convicted and sentenced to 12 month community-based orders were: Robert Karaca, 21, of Richmond, Beth Nathan, 22, of Brunswick, Sofia Todorova, 26, of Moonee Ponds, Rosalie Delaney, 20, of Parkville, and David Nguyen, 23, of Coburg.

[original article]

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Three G20 protesters admit riot charges

from infoshop, 10 April 2008:

[[corporate media repost]]

Lawyers defending three protesters involved in the violent G20 riots in Melbourne in 2006 have asked a magistrate not to convict them. The trio were among a group of demonstrators involved in confrontations with police outside the Group of 20 nations summit on November 17 and 18, 2006. Danya Bryx, 23, is accused of ramming an industrial bin into barricades behind which police stood, ramming a water-filled barrier into police lines and throwing it at police.

Lawyers defending three protesters involved in the violent G20 riots in Melbourne in 2006 have asked a magistrate not to convict them.

The trio were among a group of demonstrators involved in confrontations with police outside the Group of 20 nations summit on November 17 and 18, 2006.

Danya Bryx, 23, is accused of ramming an industrial bin into barricades behind which police stood, ramming a water-filled barrier into police lines and throwing it at police.

Bryx pleaded guilty in Melbourne Magistrates Court Monday to two counts of riot and one each of intentionally destroying property and recklessly causing injury to a female police officer.

Her lawyer Marita Altman said jailing the law student would be a "highly disproportionate" punishment and requested she be dealt with through a community-based order without conviction.

In a letter read to the court, Bryx described being caught up in a situation that quickly got out of control and expressed remorse for causing fear and injury to police.

Ms Altman said Bryx wanted to travel to the Middle East to work in human rights or environmental law, using her skills to do community work and make a difference.

"Their lesson that comes from all of this is you don't make change in this way," she said.

However, prosecutor Chris Beale said Bryx was involved in two riots where police were injured and her actions were serious.

Beth Nathan, 22, pleaded guilty to one count of riot after being filmed tipping a water-filled barrier onto riot police.

Ms Altman, also for Nathan, said her client was remorseful and should be given a community based order without conviction.

David Nguyen, 23, of Coburg, pleaded guilty to one charge each of riot and criminal damage.

His lawyer Rob O'Neill told the court he went along to photograph the event but got caught up in a "moment of stupidity" and hurled a glass bottle at police.

He said a community based order without conviction was appropriate given his client's good character, youth and clean record.

A further seven protesters are due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court this week.

Another, Paul Hood, 38, of Queensland, was committed to stand trial and will face the County Court for a case conference on May 29. He has reserved his plea on charges including riot and affray.

Magistrate Sarah Dawes will sentence Bryx, Nathan and Nguyen on Monday.

[original article]

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See http://www.afterg20.org for defendant support info on the G20 cases.

Email: afterg20@gmail.com

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