This was part of a Student National Day of Action (see reports in Green Left Weekly and especially the feature and related posts on Melbourne Indymedia. After speeches at the State Library protesters marched to the RMIT administration building at the corner of LaTrobe and Russell Streets and a number forced their way in, occupying the Vice-Chancellor’s office for several hours. On the way they encountered a counter-demonstration from supporters/admirers of the Minister, Brendan Nelson, and the corporate media were able to record some minor scuffles. At one point a placard was burned.
Part of the rally at the State Library
The ‘Queer bloc’ were prominent in this, as in subsequent protests against attacks on student unions
One view of the Minister
Before the march
On the march – the person in the blue hat has apparently doctored a Resistance placard to reverse its message
Fans of the Minister
Another point of view
Some of the police in waiting preferred to remain anonymous
Media scrum around Nelson supporters
Protesters at the entrance
The same
Message at side entrance
In the foyer
A placard gets burned
Police withdraw. They returned about 10pm to end the sit-in by force
