A confluence of circumstance is where a series of events come together to create one greater – more remarkable outcome.
This year’s Mardi Gras parade will be a confluence of circumstance.
It’ll be its 36th anniversary of that dark day back in ’78. The first since the police brutality on young Jamie Jackson Reed. And the first weekend of new anti-drunk lockout laws.
The Mardi Gras parade is one of the most out of control parties of the year – in a great way. An international celebration of life.
Yet for the 1000 on-duty police – it’s just ‘one of the most out-of-control parties of the year’. A drunken riot in the making.
We know police will be sent a video warning of their expectations; in it they’ve been reminded not to harass.
Think about that. Reminded. Not. To. Harass.
It gives you an insight into the frame of mind going into what will be one of the most sensitive parades in history.
Police should be there to monitor, and assist. It astounds me they may need to be reminded of this. It is not us versus them.
Though, Jamie Jackson Reed would disagree.
Here’s the problem – many of the officers who will be lining the streets that night are no older than those they’re there to “protect”.
Young people who are prone to the same emotions – be it hot headedness, intimidation, pack mentality and sense of authority.
Especially in a highly passionate, crowded situation.
As we head towards the parade this year – I believe the biggest motivation for change is the public relations fear of a violent officer being filmed. Again.
What I’m waiting to see is proof there has been a change in actual self-control. Proof that will require actions, not words. And time, not one YouTube video. Proof we haven’t see yet. Ask Roberto Curti’s– the Brazilian teen’s family. Google him.
For this year’s parade the riot police have been pulled back. That’s good. They have no place.
But we are in a time where tolerance for alcohol-fuelled violence is at its most sensitive.
On the weekend of the February 24, tough new anti-drinking laws will come into effect. At 1.30am all venues will be in lockout. At 3am, every venue will be at last drinks.
The focus of the nation will be on Sydney that weekend – will this work? There is a determination from lawmakers and law-keepers to prove these measures are justified.
Part of me fears this will be an unspoken green light for officers to be over-sensitive in their bid remove potential trouble from the streets.
And this hypersensitivity is an extremely fine line.
Now, no one can say there isn’t a small collection of those who will hit the town that will take it too far. And to those few, I say: jog on. You are giving the rest of us a terrible name.
But this is the ultra-minority.
My wallet would hate to think how many times I’ve been to the Cross. The city. Oxford St et and al. I refuse to cop that post-11pm, these areas turn into an anarchist zoo.
People want a good time. At all hours. We want to party until we’re spent. Meet someone. Fail. Meet someone else. Laugh. Dance. Take someone home. Wake up dreadfully hung-over. And repeat.
This is not a bad thing.
People don’t go out to yell. Pick a fight. Shove. Punch. Cry. Bleed. Abuse. Be abused. Speak to police. Be pinned to the ground. And wake up in a city lock-up. They just don’t.
Yet – look at these new laws – and look at the message ‘don’t harass’ and tell me what you think police are preparing for.
In the spirit of fairness, efforts have been made to ensure Mardi Gras is run in partnership with organisers and officers.
But it’s the hours after the parade where conflicts are likely to flare.
Mardi Gras is a festival where almost any expression is embraced – and inhibitions are abandoned. It’s a night full of exceptional characters. And officers need to treat it as such.
On top of all this, Sydney will be playing host to thousands of international visitors – and they’ll be shocked by how conservative our city’s party scene has become. And rightly so.
I just hope it doesn’t hurt this city’s attraction in the eyes of those who choose, and pay, to come play.
For those of us here in Sydney, we should be angry hundreds of police will be patrolling the streets waiting for any sign of ‘outstanding’ behaviour. It’s the Mardi Gras – it’s all ‘outstanding’.
Partying is not a crime. Celebrating life is not a crime. Being drunk is not a crime. Yet on March 1, I fear there will be a presumption that it is.
WOW talk about cop bashing. You do realise the police don’t make the laws – they are the ones who have to enforce the law made by politicians. If you’re not happy about cops being on the street to protect us then maybe you should call a crackhead next time your in trouble.