[NYTr] Sydney's 'wall of shame' ready for APEC protesters

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

Sydney Morning Herald - Sep 3, 2007
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/sydneys-wall-of-shame/2007/09/03/1188671834659.html

Sydney's 'wall of shame'

The APEC security fence that stretches through Sydney's CBD is a "wall
of shame" and undemocratic, the Communist Party of Australia says.

But NSW Transport Minister John Watkins said that, while requiring
tourists to delete photos of  the fence might be "over the top", it is
necessary.

He was responding today to  reports that three German tourists were
asked by police to delete digital photographs of the newly built fence,
which stretches five kilometres through Sydney's CBD.

He said the move was part of the efforts to ensure there was no breach
during the major protests expected later this week.

"There is some concern among police that some of those protesters who
are coming ... will look for weak points in the fence," Mr Watkins told
Southern Cross Broadcasting.

"And that one of the things they are doing is a recce of the fence to
find where they can attack it.

"There are concerns, perhaps it's a bit over the top, but you can
understand the job of NSW Police is to keep us safe and APEC safe."

'Great Wall of Sydney'

Communist Party spokesman Peter Symon said CPA members would be taking
part in protests later this week, and he has called on all Australians
to "stand up to the intimidation of protesters by the NSW and Federal
governments".

"The Great Wall of Sydney is a wall of shame and a testament to the
disastrous and anti-people policies of the capitalist leaders of APEC,"
Mr Symon said in a statement today.

"The anti-democratic laws, the violent water cannon, the open threats
against protesters and the imposition of restricted zones have robbed
the people of Sydney of their city.

"These abuses of our civil liberties must be resisted."

Central Sydney opened for business as usual today on the first day of
the APEC summit.

It was quiet on all fronts despite fears of traffic disruptions as buses
were rerouted to avoid Circular Quay and the security fence narrowed
major streets.

City workers seemed oblivious to the 2.8-metre high fence around the
northern part of the CBD, the added security guards, the checkpoints to
screen workers for security passes and the squads of uniformed police
on the beat.

Little fuss

Workers streamed smoothly along pedestrian walkways with little fuss or
disruption.

Major road arteries into the CBD suffered no delays, with traffic
apparently less heavy than normal.

Michael Nichols, who runs a fruit kiosk at Circular Quay, said it was
business as usual.

"If anything I've had a few more customers than usual because they have
been forced to walk past my kiosk, but it will be the afternoon that is
the real test as I rely on tourist trade," he said.

"But I am also worried about doing my deliveries as that's going to be a
real hassle with traffic alterations around Sydney."

Council workers are sealing up public rubbish bins in Martin Place.

Hessian is being taped over the bins.