Students protesting the proposed deregulation of Australian university fees were pepper-sprayed by police in Sydney on Friday.
As seen in the ABC footage, about 40 demonstrators attempted to enter the Sydney Masonic Centre where Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne was giving a speech.
After getting into the foyer of the building, the students attempted to barge their way past police into the corridors. It was then that an officer sprayed some of the demonstrators.
The students, several overcome by the spray, were forcefully escorted from the building. Many continued to chant: “This is not a police state; we have the right to demonstrate.”
Outside, victims of the pepper spray were seen having their faces dowsed in milk in attempts to ease their pain.
“We were pushed by police and I was pepper-sprayed right in the face, my face is on fire,” said Ridah Hassan from the National Union of Students (NUS), arguing the students have a right to protest.
NSW Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
