Support activists arrested at mining conference

Climate activists protesting one of the world's biggest mining conferences met with an extremely heavy handed response from Victoria Police. 

More than 50 arrests occurred in the first hours of the protest as police attempted to violently disperse the peaceful protest. They used pepper spray and batons for crowd control, punched people, and charged horses directly through the crowd. One protestor was taken away in an ambulance with a suspected broken leg. Many others required first aid after mistreatment. Organisers of the protest were particularly targeted with arrests and intimidatory treatment. If found guilty, those arrested could see fines of over $4,000 each or even jail terms. 

These tactics won't stop us protesting, but they can intimidate other supporters and the arrests and charges so far could cost activists tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees. Please chip in to help our legal defence fund! A donation of any amount will help the climate movement send a message that this brutal treatment is unacceptable,  and spurious charges will be defended in court. 

The International Mining and Resources Conference is attended by 400+ companies. Together they contribute 18% of annual greenhouse gas emissions. These companies are responsible for shocking exploitation of indigenous peoples, the environment and their workers.  

All the money donated here will go into the legal defence fund set up by the Blockade IMARC Alliance for the protesters who have been unfairly charged. 

Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ShutDownIMARCAlliance

Media coverage here: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/protesters-to-delay-cbd-traffic-for-a-second-day/news-story/4969141327d1e3f82ea43ac515ba4b9d