State sanctioned violence on asylum seekers

The use of rubber bullets by security officers last week at the Christmas Island detention centre is a chilling reminder that our society allows state sanctioned violence against asylum seekers in a way that would be considered intolerable even in the most repressive parts of our prison system.

Furthermore, it says something very sad about Australia that there is not an outcry by the media, politicians and the community against the use of such instruments of violence on children and women. Would we sit on our hands and say nothing if the police threw tear gas into a group of demonstrators in Martin Place or Collins Street? — via redwolf.newsvine.com