Australian PM stumbles before angry protesters

CANBERRA, Australia - Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard stumbled and was caught by a security guard as riot police helped her forge a path through a crowd of rowdy protesters following a ceremony to mark Australia's national day Thursday.

She appeared distressed as she was pulled away from the protesters but was unharmed. She later remarked that she was made of "pretty tough stuff" and commended police for their actions.

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard is escorted out in Canberra, Australia, on Jan. 26, 2012.

/ AP Photo/Lukas Coch

Some 200 supporters of indigenous rights had surrounded a Canberra restaurant and banged its windows while Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott were inside officiating at an award ceremony.

Around 50 police escorted the political leaders from a side door to a car. Gillard stumbled, losing a shoe. Her personal security guard wrapped his arms around her and supported her to the waiting car, shielding her from the angry crowd.

The protesters had been demonstrating for indigenous rights nearby at the so-called Aboriginal Tent Embassy, a ramshackle collection of tents and temporary shelters in the national capital that is a center point of protests against Australia Day.

Australia Day marks the arrival of the first fleet of British colonists in Sydney on Jan. 26, 1788. Many Aborigines call it Invasion Day because the land was settled without a treaty with traditional owners.

Abbott appeared to be the target of protesters, who chanted "shame" and "racist" outside the restaurant.

The Tent Embassy celebrated its 40th anniversary on Thursday. Abbott had earlier angered indigenous activists by saying it was time the embassy "moved on."

Gillard was unharmed and later hosted another Australia Day function for foreign ambassadors at her official residence.

"The only thing that angers me is that it distracted from such a wonderful event," Gillard told reporters.

"I am made of pretty tough stuff and the police did a great job," she added.

[rheola-2009]

Imagine if it was in Yankydom! 20 helicopter gunships, snipers firing on the crowd, charging cavalry & teargas, Thank your stars readers, we are AUSTRALIAN!!!

Commenter Location Sydney Date and time January 27, 2012, 11:34AM

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/the-midas-touch-what-julia-gillards-shoes-say-about-her-20120127-1qkjc.html#ixzz1kcKJeF00

[samXXkiley]

coucou,
a wonderful event, yes for you probably Julia Gillard,
but not for these indigenous, who are not considered as full citizens
"au revoir"

[rheola-2009]

In view of your uninformed comment, it is rather strange that a large number of Indigenus people came out and strongly ctriticized this ridiculous over reaction on the part of a few rabble rousers.

[Scimajor]

Like I did when I was much younger, she found out the hard way that Australian beer is much stronger than the beer we have here in the U.S.A. . 1 Fosters = 2 Coors. :-)

[wolfmagic2012]

You better get your butt behind an aboriginal rights settlement act or kiss your precious office goodbye.

[agrak]

Well the Australians stole the country from its rightful owners the native aborigine population. I am really surprised from her statement "I am made of pretty tough stuff and the police did a great job," the picture tells a different story.

[erasmus111]

Pictures can be deceiving. It says she accidently stumbled and lost her shoe. Would that not take you by surprise? The security guard caught her and then proceeded to haul her away. That is what the security person is being paid for. Doesn't mean she isn't made of "tough stuff".

[InnerView]

@ erasmus111 - thats all you focused on, was on the shoe and made up something about a secguard catching her oh so romantically but nothing about the LARGER issue at hand, just proving she's made of "tough stuff'.

Nothin about the Aboriginal grievances that should be something Australia NEEDS to address and hasn't for ages.