I found out after ringing Redfern Police Station. The police were quite
happy to tell me what had occurred a couple of hours earlier.
South Sydney Herald writer and cartoonist, norrie mAy-welby, had a different experience. Norrie reported that: “The entire area of
the Block was occupied by police on the night of Saturday 20 January,
demanding ID of citizens going about their lawful business, searching cars, and
stopping residents going to their own homes, without any satisfactory
explanation of why, in effect, martial law, was being imposed. Residents were
told that it was ‘dangerous,’ but denied any further details. As a result,
residents lives were put at risk as they left unaware there was a report
of a gunman on the loose in the area. When I asked why the obstructions and
inconveniences I was given no explanation.”
Norrie may have a point: people were not being
allowed into their streets and were not told why, and everyone was at risk if a
gunman was on the loose. However, as I said, the Redfern police were quite
happy to tell me what was happening.
It should be noted that in a quick survey at
Bobby’s Café in Darlington the morning after
the lock-down, most people were happy that Redfern police responded so quickly
if there were guns involved.
Were you there on the
night? What was your experience? Tell us your story. Write to editor@ssh.com.au
Source: South Sydney Herald February 2007