Doug PollardRAINBOW FLAGBEARER DETAINED AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Chrissy Adams with the offending flags & Ivan Hinton from RFOMCA
DETAINED
Chrissy Adams just wanted to take her flags to the Australian Open. That’s flags, plural. Her Australian Flag, and her Rainbow flag. But it proved to be more difficult than she expected.
She was detained by police for 20 minutes, during which time she was subjected to intimidation and harassement.
She tells how it began:
“Early on day five at the Australian Open (Friday January 21, 2012) I was seated outside Rod Laver Arena, directly across from Margaret Court Arena.
“I was sitting on my own just fiddling through my bag, with my Rainbow Flag & Australian Flag, which are joined together on one flag pole, draped over my legs.
“I was approached by two police officers and asked if I was planning on going into Margaret Court Arena with ‘that flag’ (referring to my Rainbow Flag), to which I replied ‘Yes, at some point.’
POLICE HAVE A PROBLEM, THREATEN TO REMOVE HER
And it went downhill from there. Despite assurances that Chrissy had had no problems regarding the flag on Wednesday, one of the officers snapped at her, “Well I have a problem with it.”
People might take offence, he said.
Chrissy said, “I’m not planning on shoving the flag in anyone’s face if that’s what you’re worried about,” insisting that hers was a peaceful protest.
The officer demanded ID, taking down the details of her drivers licence.
Ssome people may have issues with the Rainbow Flag inside Margaret Court Arena, they said.
And that if that was the case, Chrissy would be removed from courtside, they added.
INTIMIDATION
She says “I felt intimidated . . . at the thought of being ejected from Melbourne Park just because I had decided to fly my Rainbow Flag and be out and proud.
“And I’m still at a loss because I don’t know of any law that says that I’m not allowed to fly my rainbow flag at the tennis.”
NO OTHER EXPLANATION
I thought perhaps the police were concerned about the flagpole, in case it might be used as a weapon. This has been used as a justification for seizing flags from protestors in the past. Clearly, however, that didn’t bother them on this occasion.
I thought it might have been because it was quite a large flag, but since they didn’t object to the Australian flag of equal size, it can’t have been that, either.
The objection can only have been to the rainbow flag itself. The police behaviour was incontrovertibly discriminatory.
ACTION REQUIRED
Victoria Police should discipline the officers involved, if they can be found – Chrissie was too shaken, and in too much of a hurry to get to see some tennis, to remember to note their names.
And issue a statement that all rainbow flags, umbrellas and other paraphernalia are welcome at the Australian Open and the mere objections of others will not be used as an excuse to eject peaceful patrons.
A complaint has been lodged by Rainbow Flags Over Margaret Court Arena with the Human Rights Commission over the police behaviour.
TIP OF THE ICEBERG?
Whilst we only know of this one incident to date, I have to wonder how many other people have been subjected to a ‘friendly’ word? And have kept their insignia hidden in consequence.
If anyone else has been subjected to intimidation of this kind by either Victoria Police or Tennis Australia officials, please contact me at rfomca@gmail.com.
UPDATE - POLICE TAKE ACTION
I have just been talking to Scott Davis, the senior officer in charge of the Gay & Lesbian Liaison unit at Victoria Police. He has brought the case of Chrissy's alleged harassment to the attention of the Assistant Commissioner Ethical Standards and the Officer in Charge of policing at the Australian Open, and her allegations will be investigated.
He assures me that the police are very disturbed by what has happened: it is not the way members of our community should be treated. I have put Chrissy in contact with Scott and will keep you posted as to developments.
