WikiLeaks: 2008-11-14: 08CANBERRA1151: Peaceful Demonstration at U.S. Embassy Canberra in Australia

Viewing cable 08CANBERRA1151, PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION AT US EMBASSY CANBERRA

R 140452Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0513
INFO AMEMBASSY DILI 
AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 
AMEMBASSY SUVA 
AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 
AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 
AMCONSUL PERTH 
AMCONSUL SYDNEY

UNCLAS CANBERRA 001151 
 
 
DEPT FOR DSERCC, DS/IP/ITA; DS/IP/EAP; DS/IP/FPO; 
DS/PSP/FPD; DS/CC; EMBASSIES FOR RSO'S; CONSULATES FOR PSO'S 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC
SUBJECT: PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION AT US EMBASSY CANBERRA 
 
On Friday, November 14, 2008, at 2:15 PM, there was a 
peaceful demonstration by the Assyrian community of Australia 
at the US Embassy in Canberra.  The group, calling itself the 
"Assyrians of Australia," consisted of about 45 to 50 people 
wearing white T-shirts smeared with red paint.  They carried 
banners stating, "How many must die before something is 
done?" and "Assyrian Homeland, Isaiah 19:23-25." During the 
demonstration, the protesters chanted, "Rights! Rights! We 
want rights!"  At the conclusion of the 30 minute protest, 
the leader of the demonstration presented an Embassy 
representative with a letter addressed to the President of 
the United States pleading for the "protection and rights of 
the Assyrian Nation."  Police support was exceptional, with 
local police present for the duration of the scheduled 
protest.  The demonstrators left the area without incident. 
Prior to arriving at the US Embassy, the group had also 
marched on the Israeli Embassy, the Iraqi Embassy, and the 
European Union compound.