Riots in Sydney over death of aboriginal teenager
16.02.2004 01:37
Fifty police officers were injured in Sydney in a riot that was sparked by the death of an Aboriginal teenager.
Angry youths torched a railway station and pelted police with bottles and petrol bombs in the predominantly Aborigine neighbourhood of Redfern.
Angry youths torched a railway station and pelted police with bottles and petrol bombs in the predominantly Aborigine neighbourhood of Redfern.
From BBC:
Sydney riots over Aborigine death
Fifty police officers were injured in Sydney in a riot that was sparked by the death of an Aboriginal teenager.
Angry youths torched a railway station and pelted police with bottles and petrol bombs in the predominantly Aborigine neighbourhood of Redfern.
Four people were arrested although there were no immediate charges.
Thomas Hickey, 17, died after he became impaled on a metal fence when he fell off his bike. Police deny claims he was being chased by officers at the time.
The riot broke out on Sunday night and continued into the early hours of Monday.
Police reinforcements wearing riot gear were drafted in from across Sydney to quell the violence.
'More arrests'
Eight of the injured officers had to go to hospital.
"At this stage one officer was knocked out by a brick that was thrown through the air and a number of others have got broken limbs, legs," Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites told reporters.
At the height of the riots, some 100 people were said to have taken to the streets.
"They burnt out one vehicle and they in fact were throwing Molotov cocktails both at police and at Redfern railway station during the course of the riot," said Mr Waites.
He said four people had been arrested and police expected to make more arrests in coming days.
Thomas Hickey's mother said her son was being pursued by police when he fell of his bike and became impaled on a metal fence.
The allegation is strongly denied by the police.
A local resident, identified only as Donna, told ABC radio that people were angry because they believed the police were responsible for the teenager's death.
"He was murdered. We've been down to look at the spot and everything and there's no sign, they cleaned it up that quick," she said.
Fifty police officers were injured in Sydney in a riot that was sparked by the death of an Aboriginal teenager.
Angry youths torched a railway station and pelted police with bottles and petrol bombs in the predominantly Aborigine neighbourhood of Redfern.
Four people were arrested although there were no immediate charges.
Thomas Hickey, 17, died after he became impaled on a metal fence when he fell off his bike. Police deny claims he was being chased by officers at the time.
The riot broke out on Sunday night and continued into the early hours of Monday.
Police reinforcements wearing riot gear were drafted in from across Sydney to quell the violence.
'More arrests'
Eight of the injured officers had to go to hospital.
"At this stage one officer was knocked out by a brick that was thrown through the air and a number of others have got broken limbs, legs," Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites told reporters.
At the height of the riots, some 100 people were said to have taken to the streets.
"They burnt out one vehicle and they in fact were throwing Molotov cocktails both at police and at Redfern railway station during the course of the riot," said Mr Waites.
He said four people had been arrested and police expected to make more arrests in coming days.
Thomas Hickey's mother said her son was being pursued by police when he fell of his bike and became impaled on a metal fence.
The allegation is strongly denied by the police.
A local resident, identified only as Donna, told ABC radio that people were angry because they believed the police were responsible for the teenager's death.
"He was murdered. We've been down to look at the spot and everything and there's no sign, they cleaned it up that quick," she said.
Sydney riots over Aborigine death
Fifty police officers were injured in Sydney in a riot that was sparked by the death of an Aboriginal teenager.
Angry youths torched a railway station and pelted police with bottles and petrol bombs in the predominantly Aborigine neighbourhood of Redfern.
Four people were arrested although there were no immediate charges.
Thomas Hickey, 17, died after he became impaled on a metal fence when he fell off his bike. Police deny claims he was being chased by officers at the time.
The riot broke out on Sunday night and continued into the early hours of Monday.
Police reinforcements wearing riot gear were drafted in from across Sydney to quell the violence.
'More arrests'
Eight of the injured officers had to go to hospital.
"At this stage one officer was knocked out by a brick that was thrown through the air and a number of others have got broken limbs, legs," Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites told reporters.
At the height of the riots, some 100 people were said to have taken to the streets.
"They burnt out one vehicle and they in fact were throwing Molotov cocktails both at police and at Redfern railway station during the course of the riot," said Mr Waites.
He said four people had been arrested and police expected to make more arrests in coming days.
Thomas Hickey's mother said her son was being pursued by police when he fell of his bike and became impaled on a metal fence.
The allegation is strongly denied by the police.
A local resident, identified only as Donna, told ABC radio that people were angry because they believed the police were responsible for the teenager's death.
"He was murdered. We've been down to look at the spot and everything and there's no sign, they cleaned it up that quick," she said.
Fifty police officers were injured in Sydney in a riot that was sparked by the death of an Aboriginal teenager.
Angry youths torched a railway station and pelted police with bottles and petrol bombs in the predominantly Aborigine neighbourhood of Redfern.
Four people were arrested although there were no immediate charges.
Thomas Hickey, 17, died after he became impaled on a metal fence when he fell off his bike. Police deny claims he was being chased by officers at the time.
The riot broke out on Sunday night and continued into the early hours of Monday.
Police reinforcements wearing riot gear were drafted in from across Sydney to quell the violence.
'More arrests'
Eight of the injured officers had to go to hospital.
"At this stage one officer was knocked out by a brick that was thrown through the air and a number of others have got broken limbs, legs," Assistant Commissioner Bob Waites told reporters.
At the height of the riots, some 100 people were said to have taken to the streets.
"They burnt out one vehicle and they in fact were throwing Molotov cocktails both at police and at Redfern railway station during the course of the riot," said Mr Waites.
He said four people had been arrested and police expected to make more arrests in coming days.
Thomas Hickey's mother said her son was being pursued by police when he fell of his bike and became impaled on a metal fence.
The allegation is strongly denied by the police.
A local resident, identified only as Donna, told ABC radio that people were angry because they believed the police were responsible for the teenager's death.
"He was murdered. We've been down to look at the spot and everything and there's no sign, they cleaned it up that quick," she said.
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reports and articles
16.02.2004 11:31
Flashpoint Redfern
Redfern conflict, Aboriginal voices and Minister and services
Pictures:
Mother calls for riot inquiry - SBS News
NSW Opposition says neglect led to riot - ABC News
The New South Wales Opposition's police spokesman, Peter Debnam, says the Redfern riot is a result of years of neglect.
Boy's death 'prompts' Redfern riot - ABC News
Thomas Hickey died after being impaled on a metal fence post. ABC TV
Seven police officers have been injured at the scene of a riot at Redfern in Sydney's inner west, with locals throwing fireworks, bricks and other projectiles.
VIDEO: Boy killed in tragic accident - ABC News
New South Wales police have been accused of chasing a teenage boy to his death after the 17-year-old fell from his bike and became impaled on a fence at Redfern in Sydney.
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Teen's death sparks Redfern riot - Tony Eastley, AM.
Mother angry over son's death - Michael Vincent, AM.
Police 'deserve all they get': dead teen's mum - SMH.com.au
The mother of the 17-year-old boy whose death sparked a violent riot in Sydney today said police deserved all they got for killing her son.
Teenager's death triggers fiery Aboriginal rampage - SMH.com.au
Redfern railway station was set ablaze, windows were smashed and at least one police officer was taken to hospital as Aborigines went on a rampage last night in a furious response to the death of a teenage boy.
Police 'provoked' riot: Jackson - The Age
Police provoked Redfern youths into a riotous backlash by heavy patrolling of the Sydney suburb, which was in mourning, an indigenous leader said today.
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