The Canberra Times reports
Victoria police officers violated human rights through excessive force and unlawful arrests at a pro cannabis rally, lawyers claim in an open letter to the state’s chief commissioner.
Melbourne’s Fitzroy legal service alleges attendees were humiliated after being inappropriately searched, illegally handcuffed and mocked at a demonstration for the legalisation of marijuana on April 20.
Victoria Police officers behaved aggressively and disrespectfully towards 420-rally attendees, including those with medicinal cannabis prescriptions, and unlawfully detained the group, the letter sent to Shane Patton on Monday says.
Fitzroy legal service senior drug outreach lawyer Adam Wilson said Victorians had a right to conduct peaceful protests.
“It’s vital that any community member wanting to take part in a political demonstration should be able to do so free from fear, intimidation and, most importantly, unnecessary interference by our police,” Mr Wilson said.
“After viewing footage of the operations and speaking with both attendees and organisers on the day, we’re confident that this was far from the case in April, with cases of handcuffing without cause, undue searches and unnecessary arrests.”
Fitzroy legal service has called on Victoria police to implement a strategy to prevent excessive operations at future rallies.
In a statement to AAP, Victoria police said it was reviewing the claims.
Fitzroy legal service is Victoria’s longest-standing community legal centre that specialises in discrimination, systemic barriers and injustice.
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