POLICE BRUTALITY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 28 November 1930, Page 5

POLICE BRUTALITY

ECHO OF MAY DAY RIOTS. SERGEANT IMPRISONED. (United Press Association —B\ fc-.tctric Telegraph Copyright./ BERLIN, Nov. 25. In connection with the May Day riots last year, when 40 civilians, including the New Zealand, journalist, Mr. C. E. Mackay, were killed by the police, two police officers and a sergeant were charged with gross illtreatment. The sergeant was sentened to four liTtyfths’ imprisoment and the officers were? acquitted. • Evidence was given that the jjolice completely lost their heads and brutally truncheoned citizens, while the officers looked passively on. Serious rioting occurred in the streets of Berlin on May Day, 1929, Communists being responsible for the disturbances that cast the city into panic. Barricades were thrown up in the streets, and after several brisk skirmishes- had taken place, the police opened fire and put the rioters to flight. Later, orders were issued that the streets were to be cleared, and inhabitants were warned that the police would fire on any persons in sight. In a number of cases this warning was disregarded, and several innocent pedestrians were shot. Later it was asserted that such drastic action, on the part of the police was quite unnecessary. Among those who ventured abroad in the evening, only to meet death, was Mr. Charles E. Mackay, late of Wanganui, a member of the staff of the London “Daily Express.” He was that paper’s assistant correspondent in Berlin.