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SYDNEY - Police made arrests and a woman was injured amid violent scenes at a protest this morning against the Sydney visit of US Vice-President Dick Cheney.
About 50 protesters with banners and megaphones confronted a wall of police blocking access to Sydney's Shangri-La Hotel, where Mr Cheney
was delivering a speech to an Australian-American dialogue group.
One witness, John Graham, 46, said a group of police officers tried to single out two women dressed in blue overalls similar to the uniforms of police.
He said violent scenes broke out when the two women ran into the protesting crowd.
Another protester, Marie McKern, was knocked over and taken away by ambulance after being hurt in the crush.
Security has been tightened in inner Sydney with dozens of police manning roadblocks near the hotel where Cheney is staying.
Officers with bomb sniffing dogs canvassed the area, while US Secret Service officers were accompanying the Vice President during his appointments.
Cheney said a speech earlier today the United States and its allies could not afford to abandon Iraq and other countries that could provide a haven for terrorists.
"The notion that free countries can turn our backs on what happens in places like Afghanistan or Iraq or any other possible safe haven for terrorists is an option that we simply cannot indulge," he said.
The Stop the War Coalition gathered this morning to protest against the war in Iraq and demand Australian terror suspect David Hicks be released from Guantanamo Bay military prison where he has been detained for five years since he was captured with the Taleban in Afghanistan.
Three people were arrested, including the two women dressed in blue overalls, and taken to Surry Hills police station for questioning.
"The police tried to single out the two who were wearing uniforms and the two ran into the crowd," Mr Graham said.
Paddy Gibson, spokesman for the Stop The War Coalition, said the violence was unprovoked.
"Something has to be done about the Public Order and Riot Squad, they have arrested over 60 students in the past year who were attempting peaceful demonstrations," he said.
Mr Gibson said he only knew of one protester being detained by police.
"It was completely unprovoked ... she was part of a street theatre performance," she said
Last night, three officers suffered minor injuries and several arrests were made as police attempted to prevent about 200 activists from marching down George Street to the US Consulate in Martin Place.
- AAP
