Mohammed El-leissy: Yesterday I headed into the CBD to film footage of iconic landmarks in Melbourne for a promotional video I was putting together for OurSay.org. This website allows people to ask questions of their candidates in the upcoming state election. They wanted images that conveyed civic society. As I wandered down Swanston St, I thought the Town Hall would be appropriate and took some footage mostly of the top part of the building. As I turned to walk away, a firm hand grabbed my arm and police identification was presented. I was taken to the side by an Australian Federal Police officer and detained for half an hour. The policeman asked for my ID and wrote down my details. He also searched my backpack. (It was just my luck the Governor General was in the building.) He asked whom I worked for, why I was filming that particular building, and other questions. I saw he was writing down my old address, and made what I thought was a light-hearted joke, offering him my correct address. He talked into his sleeve mocking my tenacity. A few moments pause, then came a chilling, No, I dont need backup. I then noticed other men across the street also talking into their sleeves. Despite obviously being innocent, I felt they were keen to send me a message - dont mess with us. What hurt the most was I was not being detained at an airport or Parliament. I was being detained on the street - not for having a gun or a machete, but for having a camera. I wasnt being interviewed - I was being processed. I felt pretty desolate, then angry. I know very well he was just doing his job, but I wasnt remotely a threat to the Governor General. Maybe my being Muslim was part of his suspicion - Ill never know. But I do feel certain the events of the last week caused it. I didnt see the tourists around me with their cameras and smart phones receiving the same treatment. I also felt I was being man-handled by the people that are supposed to be protecting us and now the fine line between citizen and suspect criminal is too thin. Source and read more: abc.net.au/news/2014-09-24/el-leissy-suddenly-i-dont-feel-so-calm-and-secure/5766754
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 21:58:17 +0000
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