Dissent and Personal Protection:Gillard Rescued From Ruckus-plus an update

Concern crossed the faces of Australian security personnel as Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and opposition leader Tony Abbott put aside their differences when a security threat materialised in Canberra,the Australian capital,on Thursday.The politicians were gathered at an awards banquet on Australia Day,the national holiday,which marks the arrival of the first British colonists in Australia in 1788.A crowd of aboriginal rights protesters outside the affair became enraged when Mr.Abbott said things were much better for the Aborigines now,and it was time to move on from the ramshackle protest camp on the lawn of the old Parliament building nearby.That was like waving a red flag at a bull,a protest leader remarked.The activists charged the restaurant,banging on the glass windows and shouting "Shame" and "Racist."
Ms.Gillard's first concern was for Mr.Abbott's safety when she was informed the situation was deteriorating and it was time to get going.What about Mr.Abbott,she asked.We'd better get him out,too.
Ms.Gillard went over to Mr.Abbott and told him about the early exit plan.We'll pull together,she said.No problem,Mr.Abbott replied.
Police,one of them with a riot shield,formed a phalanx around the leaders as one of Ms.Gillard's body guards rushed her to the motorcade.She lost a shoe in the fracas,but was uninjured and later hosted another event at her residence,praising her personal protection detail.The protester who found her shoe said she intended to sell it.
Ms.Gillard,50,is Australia's first female Prime Minister.She formed her Labour Party government in June,2010.
Update:On Friday,the protesters burned an Australian flag in front of Parliament.A mainstream aboriginal leader said the activists do not represent the views of most Aborigines,but are a radical fringe.
Prime Minister Gillard's shoe lost in the escape to her car on Thursday was put up for sale on eBay,but the site took it down because it doesn't belong to the seller.The protesters said it will be returned to Ms.Gillard,who attended the Australian Open tennis tournament on Friday.She said she wasn't worried about the shoe,being fortunate enough to own other pairs of shoes.
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