Posted on 03/18/2003 5:38:28 PM PST by Indy Pendance
IT was a red-letter warning to Australia about the ease with which a national icon's security could be breached.
Police and security officials were left red-faced yesterday after protesters scaled the Opera House and daubed "NO WAR" in scarlet paving paint on the tallest sail.
It sparked outrage -- particularly because, just a few months ago in the wake of the Bali bombing, the State Government announced that security around such landmarks was to be ramped up.
Yet yesterday's graffiti session was the second time in recent weeks that security has failed to stop unknown strangers -- who could have been carrying something far more menacing than paint -- from climbing the sails.
Yesterday's offenders were arrested and identified as Dr Will Saunders, a 42-year-old UK scientist in Australia on a working visa, and environmental campaigner David Burgess, 33, from Bucketty on the Central Coast.
The pair are believed to have used their bags to block police access to a manhole on the Concert Hall sail, giving them the 10 minutes they needed to paint their protest.
Police admitted the incident was worrying.
"Our counter-terrorism unit [is] working very closely with the Government and the Opera House about security," Superintendent Phil Rogerson said.
"It's a wake-up call."
Both Saunders and Burgess were charged with malicious damage and granted conditional bail.
Opera House CEO Norman Gillespie admitted the incident had made him reconsider security -- and pledged guards would be placed around the Opera House 24 hours, seven days a week.
But he defended his staff's response, saying it was obvious the pair were protesters, not terrorists.
"We have a very high level of security here [but] if someone has reckless criminal intent they will find a way [to breach it]."
granted conditional bail
This is why they do it. they got no downside. costs taxpayers to fix it. Endangers other peoples lives to fix it. The perps get a small fine, no jailtime and get away with it.
Until this changes, they can vandalize/destroy anything with impunity... and will!
I'm sure you won't see this on the local media since we know leftists are peaceful and don't destroy property. < /sarcasm > Has anyone seen much coverage of the leftists who destroyed the 9/11 memorial in California? I haven't.
No, I don't normally watch Nightline -- my son wanted to see the Stinger missiles, and I was humoring him.
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