World

Australian PM Loses Shoe During Scuffle With Protesters

Crowd of Protesters Attack Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard

AP

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard stumbled and was caught by a security guard as riot police helped her force a path through a crowd of rowdy protesters following a ceremony to mark Australia’s national day Thursday.

She was unharmed and later remarked that she was made of “pretty tough stuff” and commended police for their actions.

Some 200 supporters of indigenous rights had surrounded a Canberra restaurant and banged its windows while Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott were inside officiating at an award ceremony.

Around 50 police escorted the political leaders from a side door to a car. Gillard stumbled, losing a shoe. Her personal security guard wrapped his arms around her and supported her to the waiting car, shielding her from the angry crowd.

Crowd of Protesters Attack Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard

AP

The protesters had been demonstrating for indigenous rights nearby at the so-called Aboriginal Tent Embassy, a ramshackle collection of tents and temporary shelters in the national capital that is a center point of protests against Australia Day.

Australia Day marks the arrival of the first fleet of British colonists in Sydney on Jan. 26, 1788. Many Aborigines call it Invasion Day because the land was settled without a treaty with traditional owners.

Abbott appeared to be the target of protesters, who chanted “shame” and “racist” outside the restaurant.

The Tent Embassy celebrated its 40th anniversary on Thursday. Abbott had earlier angered indigenous activists by saying it was time the embassy “moved on.”

Gillard was unharmed and later hosted another Australia Day function for foreign ambassadors at her official residence.

“The only thing that angers me is that it distracted from such a wonderful event,” Gillard told reporters.

“I am made of pretty tough stuff and the police did a great job,” she added.

Comments (48)

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  • dontbotherme
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:15pm

    That had to be terrifying for her. I’m glad the cops & security guards got her out of there safely.

    Report Post »  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 4:38pm

      I’m not too sympathetic for Gillard. The woman is a hardline leftist and an idiot. She runs the country in a minority government cobbled together will alliences from other parties. She coopted the party leadership through a coup to oust then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Her energy head Penny Wong makes Obama’s Steven Chu (yes..the irony that they‘re both of Chinese background hasn’t been lost on me) look almost competent…almost.

      Report Post »  
  • mr molotov cocktail
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 7:23pm

    i am telling you idiot republicans you dont want to live in a civil society blame poor people for the mess which others created-
    then there will be a day when might-becomes right…. and there is- not even 100 million conservatives globally… we out number you by billions of people!
    when the system is set up to take from everyone for the few the system dont work!
    you have no idea what is coming no force on earth goverment religion-can stop what is coming!
    capitalism is just socialism for the rich
    capitalism has not in its hundred plus-years fixed one major issue-humanity has had!
    no matter how much you clamp down on the people it will create more hatred-from we the people you shall see!
    might is right! humanity-power!
    put people in prison for 30 years for stealing a thousand dollars…. steal billions get a slap on the back-way to go!

    Report Post » mr molotov cocktail  
    • mharry860
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:36am

      Are you smoking crack?

      Report Post » mharry860  
    • VigilantGuardShark
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:52am

      If not Capitalism, then what Einstein? Socialism? Communism? Facism? Theocracy? All of these have been tried and failed, so now trying to undermine and depose a Capitalist – Democratic – Republic rather than getting involved with the system and voting in an informed manner, incredible.

      Report Post »  
    • conbones
      Posted on January 28, 2012 at 6:00pm

      @ mr molotov cocktail
      Have it all figured out dont you?
      Let me guess you saw it on the news
      or was it comedy network?
      or was it a Micheal Moore mockumentory?
      in any case you shouldnt believe everything you
      see on TV and you should pay more attention to history.

      Report Post » conbones  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:04pm

    …
    Why did the one protestor show up with a weapon? He’s lucky to be alive, after he pointed that spear at the police officers. Where I live, they would not have merely ordered him to put the spear away, they would have shot him.

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 3:52pm

      Most Ausies have become Liberal… so they do not skin and stuff Black People any more… rather Ban Guns and create Civil Rights!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • supressorgrid
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:35pm

    The whole world is going to hell and the commie libs are leading the parade.

    Report Post »  
  • geomann
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:55pm

    She doesn’t look to be made of tuff stuff, she looks terrified. We have the same issues here in the USA. The land was indeed taken by force, and I feel for their loss of culture.

    What is it the aborigines want, simply the end of Austrailia Day? Can there not be a compromise? Maybe the people of European decent should celebrate coming to Austrailia, and use it to showcase what they have learned about the loss of culture. There is enough empty land in Austrailia (and the USA) for both cultures to thrive. We just need to respect each other, because it is impossible to return to where our ancestors came from. Many of us do not even know where that is.

    Report Post »  
  • steveh931
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:16pm

    The protesting crowd was overwhelmingly aborigines, people of color, right.

    Report Post » steveh931  
    • Zorro6821
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:34pm

      Do the “Deep Thinkers” on the Blaze even know what is going on in Australia. My quess is NO. Just to enlighten the geniuses on the Blaze. Australia has lost more Freedoms under this one world order PM that any other western Nation. You would be piss..ed too. Just keep voting for your Guy Newt and you will see.

      Report Post »  
  • rightwingheroes
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:09am

    I can’t wait until spring to see if the left starts a revolution in America, then we have a reason to violently crush them

    Report Post »  
    • kentuckypatriot
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:33am

      I second that!

      Report Post » kentuckypatriot  
    • geomann
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 12:46pm

      I relunctanly agree.

      Report Post »  
    • Daemonpreyer
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 5:50pm

      Looks like they’re leaving us no choice.

      Report Post » Daemonpreyer  
    • mr molotov cocktail
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 7:28pm

      you think-you are so brilliant with your guns…. there is not even 20 million conservatives of fighting age! in the country most are old and senile…….
      200 plus million strong tired of the myth of capitalism and free enterprise!
      talk about guns…and violence
      violence from the right will call for ultra violence from the left!
      Bring tough-boys!
      jokes is on you – we got you in our databases-we know everything

      Report Post » mr molotov cocktail  
    • mr molotov cocktail
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 7:31pm

      and the government will arm us just to let you know the real game!
      want a bloody revolution you shall see one!

      Report Post » mr molotov cocktail  
    • mharry860
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 12:40am

      MR MOLOTOV COCKTAIL, so are you a new troll or just using a new name. Your comments here aren’t helpful or welcome.

      Report Post » mharry860  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:07am

    She is too stupid to realize that we are seeing a dviding of persons and groups. Just like modern humans divided themselves eventually from Neanderthals, the modern western whites are trying to divide from the rest of the rubble. The aborigines are the ones protesting but all over the world, all the colored races are uneasy. It is not them wanting separation. They sense that whites are leaving them and rising even further above them. They demand something they cannot have….to be born white.

    Report Post »  
    • VigilantGuardShark
      Posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:56am

      Uh…that’s more than a little WRONG in soooo many ways. I’m suprised it got posted.

      Report Post »  
  • TC
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:04am

    I’m sure they could be pacified with a rather generous payout of money. Thats really what OWS and others want.

    Report Post » TC  
  • Rodster
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:54am

    And now we give you ….Occupy Aborigine !

    Report Post »  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:46am

    Slack security from the get go .

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
  • WhimsyB
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:40am

    Gillard is a lefty. I‘ll bet she didn’t see that one coming….

    Report Post »  
    • WhimsyB
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:48am

      OK now that I read this more closely, I see that the main target of the protestors was the opposition leader, most likely a conservative….figures…

      Report Post »  
  • sbenard
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:17am

    This is coming everywhere — soon! This IS the character and nature of OWS. Once the weather warms in North America, we will see this kind of violent confrontation all over the United States. They have said so!

    Report Post » sbenard  
  • SAM116
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:06am

    Correction we weren’t colonists our ancestors were taken in chains.

    The tent embassy isn’t related to the occupy movement, it has been there for over 30 years. However, they have enjoyed new supporters as a result of occupy.

    Report Post »  
  • TheFonz
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:02am

    Politics in Australia can get harry at times, but in my years living there, I never saw anything like this happen. I don’t agree with much about Gillard, but this seems over the top.

    Report Post » TheFonz  
  • Tom K
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:02am

    The Aboriginal Tent “ Embassy ” has OCCUPIED that park for 40 YEARS ! See what happens when you just let things go. Occupy America ? – you gotta’ nip it in the bud folks.

    Report Post »  
  • olddog
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:02am

    There is No Freedom of speech with the communists, only their speech is allowed. It’s time to treat these commies the same way, stop their speech also, stop their Lies.

    Report Post » olddog  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:52am

    Wow, there seem to be a lot of white, blond-haired, blue-eyed Indiginous Australians.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • PATRIOTMAMA
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:32am

    Look I’m not saying that I like her policies or not. Frankly, I don’t know much about her. We have enough to concentrate on in this country but knowing violent protesters and their motives here, I tend to side with her on this one. She didn‘t land on the shores of Australia in boat and treat the aboriginee’s the way they were. I also applaud the police for how they handled things. They kept her safe and took charge of the situation. I as a smaller woman myself really appreciate the pic of the guard taking her in his arms and pulling her to safety. I know this will anger the femi-nazi’s out there but I love that there was a “knight-in-shining-armour” there to save the day. Can’t help it, as a woman I appreciate that picture of him “saving” her. Good job boys!!!

    Report Post »  
  • cemerius
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:23am

    Ahhh when the Tribes of American Indians get together to protest July 4th? Looks like the OWS “movement” has spread in a viral way!! Actually I would correct the story and let it be known that a majority of those “British Subjects” were arriving in chains that would be removed on their arrival in the penal colony of Australia…..the UK’s riff-raff were sent there to relieve overcrowded prisons……

    Report Post » cemerius  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:07am

      Yes, the detritus of the British Empire were sent to the colonies worldwide. And LOOK those people are doing quite well.
      Canada, Australia, USA, for starters……

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • TheBurningTruth
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:33am

      The Progressive Liberals pulled the ultimate trick on the “First Invaders” of America. They hooked them on free govt money. These “tribes” (strangely enough driving pickups and living in western-style constructed houses) spend their days drinking and demanding more money. I guess it’s worked because as long as we toss them a few bucks, they’re fat, drunk and happy.

      Report Post » TheBurningTruth  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:22am

    Kinda like Nancy pee pee

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:18am

    Another case of ‘useful idiots: for the left.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • ashestoashes
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:16am

    The other night I was helping my Mom in with her groceries and she took a tumble and grabbed onto me so as not to go down and she knocked me out of my shoes..lol It occured to me that a lot of these people are getting good money to protest…a lot of them are there for legitmate causes..like the economic collapse and the powers that be behind it. and other are misguided.like the ones wanting socialism..but it is important to remember that while some are misguieded …they are still individuals so we cannot place them all in one category..the thing is the ones who are paying them are creating a smoke and mirrors..Remember..the men behind that iron curtain. who are trying to pull out strings. the people are people…they are our people..Americans..so please don’t judge them..

    Report Post »  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:11am

    .
    She was unharmed and later remarked that she was made of “pretty tough stuff”……

    Funny thing, in that Picture you looked like you “Crapped Your Pants”………..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • Jackers
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:13am

      Poor Little Miss Cap and Tax…

      Report Post » Jackers  
    • Americanius
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:00am

      I don’t care for her leftist policies at all but something is very wrong when the head of state can be surrounded by group of protesters with a potential threat to her health. Her security detail must get their training from the Institute of Keystone Cops.

      Report Post »  
  • goahead.makemyday
    Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:10am

    What is it with these groups and their love of tents?

    Report Post » goahead.makemyday  
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