Port Augusta's Salvation Army captain speaks

"Baxter protesters divided, conquered" (The Australian 22/4/03) is a sad but telling headline that speaks volumes for our present time.

The division of protesters was a work of art that was commenced well before the Good Friday gathering when the final stages were set firmly in place.

First for a long time the main public relations approach used by the Police was to raid the websites and glean any item which could be used to their advantage. The protesters' web site calls for "creative measures" was interpreted, in Port Augusta at least, as invasions using a gulf approach. Not a scenario which was debunked at the Community Meeting addressed by senior police in February.

This approach had the more conservative protest groups publicly distancing themselves from anything but the most peaceful action at Baxter. Most of those groups refused to attend the convergence. Consequently the number of protesters went from a projection in February of 10,000 or more to an actuality of a few hundred.

As each group withdrew their attendance they confirmed their belief that any inappropriate action would be performed by a minority, but as they and their members withdrew their intentions to attend, the percentage of "inappropriate activists" increased. More telling, the steadying arm of the less radical slipped from around the shoulder of the more radical.

With this part of 'divide and conquer' effect DIMIA and the police set about their plans against those disparagingly referred to by Premier Rann as "hardcore ferals" and what's more "They were from Victoria". Immaturity at its highest.

Roadblocks were set about at inordinately ridiculous distances from the Detention Centre, signs not quoting authority appeared banning camping on the roadside or on adjoining property. Information from within Baxter stated that to ensure protesters had nowhere legitimate to stay, all excess motel and caravan accommodation had been booked by DIMIA.

Upon arrival, protesters, knowing they were going to have to rough it, found they had nowhere legally to camp.

It's not surprising then that at about 3:00 pm on Good Friday a commissioned officer wearing the designation of TL3 led them meekly into the next phase of "divide and conquer."

TL3 told them that before the protesters could walk to Baxter they should gather their leaders and discuss their next option. He further told them that they would have to leave their personal gear in a large flat area, an area suitable for camping. Individuals began to pitch tents and to secure their property. Groups then gathered.

They may have taken the non-objection of TL3 to the pitching of tents to be tacit approval for such actions.

They were wrong. The groups were working together, supposedly with Police consultation, but they had in fact been set up, better than any of their tents, by the Police.

Within the hour riot police and police on horseback moved into the area and demolished the tents, physically accosted the protesters (in the most legal manner) and began arresting anyone they felt so inclined.

In effect the Police were tearing down the infrastructure of the collective. From this point on the Police were not going to be trusted and any collective which took a pro-police position was going to be ignored. The protestors were in a psychological position of feeling that anything that was given to them was going to be removed, and removed with a big stick. So why ask and receive a "No", and, more importantly, why ask and be bashed for following police instructions? As for following freely given police advice, well, "I don't think so".

I watched, as a man I did not know but knew had left his car on the east side of Baxter, and had walked to the area and followed every direction given to him by the police, was approached while standing where he had been told to by police, and arrested for an unspecified matter.

The police later approached. I was standing in the same area, under the same instructions as the other man. After a conversation I too was arrested. I, however enquired as to the charge for which I was being arrested. I was told it was an offence of refusing to cease loitering. I protested that I had not been presented with the opportunity to refuse, and I was released. I wonder now if wearing my Salvation Army designation also helped my cause. If so, I regret wearing the designation. I would have welcomed my day in court, with witnesses and recorded evidence!

Predictably, the media followed the sensational. Nothing was more sensational in this "contest" than the Sunday morning raid by armed police looking for a firearm within the camp of the protesters and finding only a camera and a tripod.

This was an issue which should have been an outrage but it was quickly dismissed. My thinking for part of that dismissal was that there had not been an "elder statesperson protestor" to give a balanced account. Those that did appear in the media did a fantastic job but certainly lacked the oomph of a senior political leader or humanitarian.

The protestors had been truly divided and conquered.

That is not in anyway to say that they were not effective. The Detainees inside the hell hole called Baxter were aware of their efforts and of the procedures being used against them. The detainees understand that arbitrary violence is part of the regime and would not have been surprised by the "legal" violence of the week-end.

As for changing Australian minds and policy, protestors more than anyone understand that changing [attitudes to] humanitarian issues is a journey and not an immature "we are the winners" mindset.

The protestors will go away, re-group, debrief and prepare for next year, but hopefully there will be no need for next year.