AUSTRALIA 
Cabbies' strike cripples Melbourne CBD
Wednesday, 30 April, 2008
Over one thousand taxi drivers in Melbourne are blocking busy Melbourne streets, protesting a lack of safety for themselves and their colleagues (SBS)
WATCH A VIDEO
Hundreds of taxi drivers blocked central Melbourne streets this morning demanding to speak directly to a government minister about the stabbing of a colleague.
RAW FOOTAGE: Watch Taxi Protest
More than 1,000 cabbies rallied in freezing temperatures through the night to demand better security for taxi drivers and vowed to remain there all day.
A 23-year-old taxi driver, a student from India, was stabbed and critically injured in inner suburban Clifton Hill about 3am (AEST) yesterday.
Man charged
A man will appear in a Melbourne court today charged with attempted murder.
Parish Charles, 45, was arrested and was remanded in custody after appearing before an out-of-court sessions hearing last night.
About 400 protesters were this morning continuing their sit-in at the corner of Swanston and Flinders streets, one of the city's busiest intersections.
Traffic and tram services were disrupted overnight.
One of the organisers, Indian-born taxi driver Jazz Randyboy, says the protest had been peaceful.
"Everyone is calm and still, we are not being angry," he says.
"We will stay here until the matter is sorted, we will be here all day and even overnight again if we need to."
Banners on display read: "Do not kill the cab drivers."
Main streets blocked
People could still drive into the city, but the entire area around Federation Square and Flinders St Station was blocked, he says.
Tram, train and bus services are likely to be disrupted, with taxi drivers sitting on the tram lines.
Mr Randyboy says police and the government must do something about driver safety.
"Police are not giving us any support or anything, when we complain they simply tell us that they can't do anything. They need to wake up."
Protection 'needed'
Drivers needed protection, he says.
"We are providing the public transport, like the bus, tram or train drivers.
"If anyone puts their hands on us, we should be protected or able to protect ourselves."
Mr Randyboy says he expected thousands more drivers to converge on the area later today, as shifts change and word spreads.
Victorian Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky says protective screens were being trialled and could soon be introduced in taxis for drivers who wanted them.
Late yesterday, ABC Online reported that Ms Kosky would meet with taxi industry representatives today.
Source: AAP
RAW FOOTAGE: Watch Taxi Protest
More than 1,000 cabbies rallied in freezing temperatures through the night to demand better security for taxi drivers and vowed to remain there all day.
A 23-year-old taxi driver, a student from India, was stabbed and critically injured in inner suburban Clifton Hill about 3am (AEST) yesterday.
Man charged
A man will appear in a Melbourne court today charged with attempted murder.
Parish Charles, 45, was arrested and was remanded in custody after appearing before an out-of-court sessions hearing last night.
About 400 protesters were this morning continuing their sit-in at the corner of Swanston and Flinders streets, one of the city's busiest intersections.
Traffic and tram services were disrupted overnight.
One of the organisers, Indian-born taxi driver Jazz Randyboy, says the protest had been peaceful.
"Everyone is calm and still, we are not being angry," he says.
"We will stay here until the matter is sorted, we will be here all day and even overnight again if we need to."
Banners on display read: "Do not kill the cab drivers."
Main streets blocked
People could still drive into the city, but the entire area around Federation Square and Flinders St Station was blocked, he says.
Tram, train and bus services are likely to be disrupted, with taxi drivers sitting on the tram lines.
Mr Randyboy says police and the government must do something about driver safety.
"Police are not giving us any support or anything, when we complain they simply tell us that they can't do anything. They need to wake up."
Protection 'needed'
Drivers needed protection, he says.
"We are providing the public transport, like the bus, tram or train drivers.
"If anyone puts their hands on us, we should be protected or able to protect ourselves."
Mr Randyboy says he expected thousands more drivers to converge on the area later today, as shifts change and word spreads.
Victorian Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky says protective screens were being trialled and could soon be introduced in taxis for drivers who wanted them.
Late yesterday, ABC Online reported that Ms Kosky would meet with taxi industry representatives today.
Source: AAP
