Police clash with Rice protesters

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POLICE have clashed with protesters at the front gates of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music ahead of a speech there by US Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice.

Anti-war activists were rallying against US involvement in Iraq as Dr Rice prepared to deliver a speech at the conservatorium. About 50 protesters gathered outside the building in Macquarie St and were met by police on foot, on horseback, and with dogs.

Police used the horses to push the protesters back, as a police helicopter hovered over the scene. Police made no early arrests but had to go to the rescue of The Daily Telegraph columnist Piers Akerman, who was being jostled by protesters. The Stop the War Coalition says Dr Rice is a "war criminal" and is not welcome in Australia.

Stop the War Coalition spokeswoman Anna Samson says the protest is one of many planned in the lead-up to the third anniversary of the "invasion and occupation" of Iraq on March 20.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,18486391%255E1702,00.html

[ClayZ]

1. Six arrested.

By Dylan Welch
March 16, 2006 - 2:36PM


Jostled ... Piers Akerman.


Six protesters have been arrested after allegedly jostling Daily Telegraph columnist Piers Akerman and clashing with police outside a venue hosting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

The anti-war protestors were rallying against US involvement in Iraq as Dr Rice prepared to deliver a speech at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

The move by police started when Ackerman attempted to pass the protesters, a Channel Nine cameraman told smh.com.au.

Ackerman was allegedly pushed and jostled and lost his balance. Police then moved in and pushed the crowd back 20 metres.
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http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/piers-ruckus-at-rice-speech/2006/03/16/1142098574255.html