ETHIOPIAN-AUSTRALIAN leaders say their community’s relationship with police has been damaged by a decision to cut the public screening of Sunday’s funeral for Ethiopian prime minister Meles Zenawi.
About 500 mourners, many from Footscray, gathered in Federation Square to watch a live transmission of the funeral on Sunday afternoon.
But they were told the screening was being cancelled to ward off trouble by a small group opposed to Mr Zenawi.
After a series of fiery speeches, emotional demonstrators marched onto Swanston Street about 3pm, blocking cars and trams from crossing Princes Bridge for more than an hour.
They chanted slogans and called for an explanation as to why the organised event could not continue given there was no sign of opposition.
Community leaders say they are seeking a meeting with Police Commissioner Ken Lay about the incident.
Tigrean community leader Kiros Albera said Ethiopians had travelled from across Victoria to pay their respects.
“All of a sudden the police decided to stop this happening. When we asked why they said there was a rumour there might be trouble.”
Somali-Ethiopian community spokesman Ahmed Nour said Mr Zenawi was a popular leader who had done much to unite Ethiopia.
Another community leader, Yusuf Habye, said people were right to be upset.
“This is very bad. We are not bad people, we don’t make any violence, we respect the law, but we always have to be pushed around. It isn’t right.”
An hour into the blockade, Senior Sergeant Peter Beckers appealed to protesters to “act like adults” and return to Federation Square.
But anger erupted again when he returned to tell them that technical issues meant the screening couldn’t occur.
