Chronology
17:00 I arrive
17:20 Very few protesters outside
17:45 Things are slowly happening
17:55 More people are joining in but the stream of protesters is very slow.
18:00 Although there is still a lack of punch in the protest, it is due more to the low numbers than any lack of enthusiasm.
18:05 A quick look at the multicultural concert in the next street, they are still setting up, testing the sound. There are about 20 people there.
18:13 The first people arrive for the meeting.
18:15 I am handed out an invitation to the Geelong rally and various Socialist pamphlets.
18:20 he protest is slowly gathering momentum.
18:23 A photographer asks a young man to pose with a poster.
18:25 A few more people arrive. "Go home racist!", "Racist! Racist! Racist!". The atmosphere that was so relaxed up to now is changing.
18:27 As more people arrive for the meeting, the first egg is thrown. It is followed by water-bombs.
18:29 The police climb on top of the computer shop to dislodge the balaclava-wearing anarchists. After some discussion, it would appear the protesters are allowed to stay.
18:32 Large whole apples are thrown at a group of supporters entering the meeting
18:35 The police move the Channel Nine crew back a few steps. More supporters arrive.
18:41 Eggs, tomatoes, potatoes and water-bombs are thrown with increasing frequency.
18:43 I am near the back of the protest where a table covered with pamphlets has been set up by the protesters. Near that table, a young man is standing on a podium repeatedly asking people to "get active."
18:45 I have to insert a new film in the camera so I seek refuge near the multicultural concert where the presenter is announcing singers from the local community and a couple of South African "brothers".
18:50 As a walk back towards the heart of the demonstration, there is no doubt it is in now full swing and really packed.
18:54 "Racists are not welcome here!" More people arrive for the meeting and more projectiles are thrown in their direction.
18:59 I have identified the source of the projectiles. Although I have not seen anyone throwing any, I can say with certainty they all come from behind the one banner and are thrown by more than one individual.
19:03 The language is getting more colourful. There is a lot of anger from the crowd.
19:08 A policeman about right next to me is hit on the head by a plastic bottle.
19:10 The various members of the media are looking at each other with a rather bemused look in their eyes. There is a bad stench coming from the entrance of the building where most of the balloons have exploded. A journalist was mistaken for a supporter and almost cleaned up by a water-bomb
19:13 It is absolutely raining projectiles. Another police has been hit on the head. So many eggs, fruit, water-bombs are raining on the supporters they are unable to avoid them. A lady who was behind the police line with the media is being ejected by police. I have no idea what the incident is about.
19:14 Many eggs thrown onto the wall above the entrance are forming a rather uninviting dripping curtain the supporters have to go through to enter the meeting.
19:16 A gentleman from the "campaign against racism" addresses the crowd with a microphone. He says a few words thanking the crowd for attending and introduces a young lady who elaborates a little more on the issue of racism and Pauline Hanson.
19:21 A lady leaving the building is hit by a water bomb on the leg.
19:23 The lady is still talking on the microphone. She asks for rejection of the Howard Ten point plan, support for land rights and a host of other Aboriginal related matters including the "stolen generation".
19:24 As the young lady’s speech continues, a supporter is hit by a projectile, prompting a loud cheer from the crowd. The focus is now on the plight of the East Timorese.
19:25 A man climbing the stairs to enter the building is hit violently on the side of the face by an egg which explodes on impact. This prompts a huge cheer and applause from the crowd.
19:28 I pick the right moment to run into the building and thankfully, I avoid getting hit by anything. What immediately strikes me is the amount of egg slime on the floor inside the building. It is very slippery and extremely dangerous.
19:32 Security closes the building, the meeting is about to start. The hall is about two-third full. I count about 210 people.
19:33 The three speakers are introduced, including Andrew Carne and David Ettridge. The announcer explains that after the speeches, question time will follow and after the public has left, a press conference will be held in an adjacent room.
20:33 The speeches end
20:37 A lady in the audience speaks against the One Nation immigration policies and leaves.
20:44 Stephen Jolly the organiser of the protest outside gets into an anti-Kennett speech and then asks Ettridge a question about BHP and the 35 hours week.
20:52 The meeting is now closed and people start to gather in the foyer behind the police.
21:05 We exit the building (approximate time only)
21:10 The man is struck down (approximate time only)
21:25 The man is taken away by ambulance
21:28 The crowd turns against the police
21:36 Stephen Jolly and his troops leave by bus
21:45 I leave
