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Julia Gillard is dragged away from the protest by her security officers. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen
About 200 protesters trapped Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in a Canberra restaurant before police arrived to clear a passage for the pair.
The protesters, from the nearby Aboriginal tent embassy, banged on the three glass sides of The Lobby restaurant chanting "shame" and "racist".
Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott had just spoken at a ceremony for the inaugural national emergency medals.
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At least 50 police, including the riot squad, were called to the scene soon after 2.30pm.
The two leaders, protected by police and security officers, escaped through a side door after about 20 minutes.
Protesters chased their car down the road, banging on its roof and bonnet.
Reports that Ms Gillard was tackled or wrestled to the ground and dragged away by protesters turned out to be false.
7News reported that Ms Gillard may have been tackled to the ground by a protester before being "rescued" but the Prime Minister's office said she stumbled but did not touch the ground.
The protesters were there as part of a march to mark the 40th anniversary of the Tent Embassy.
The embassy is celebrating a 40-year milestone with a three-day "Corroboree for Sovereignty" with thousands of indigenous Australians travelling to Canberra for the occasion.
Tensions boiled over following comments Mr Abbott made in Sydney earlier in the day.
Mr Abbott said he understood why the tent embassy was set up ‘‘all those years ago".
"I think a lot has changed for the better since then," he said.
"I think the indigenous people of Australia can be very proud of the respect in which they are held by every Australian.
"I think a lot has changed since then, and I think it probably is time to move on from that."
For many Aboriginal people Australia Day is considered Invasion Day.
Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, embassy founder Michael Anderson addressed a rally at the site.
"To hell with the government and the courts in this country. You haven’t got a high hope to take us on," he said.
"We will force these issues.
"Too many of our families have suffered for some bastard to get in the road."
Read more: Gillard and Abbott trapped by protest
About 200 protesters trapped Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in a Canberra restaurant before police arrived to clear a passage for the pair.
The protesters, from the nearby Aboriginal tent embassy, banged on the three glass sides of The Lobby restaurant chanting "shame" and "racist".
Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott had just spoken at a ceremony for the inaugural national emergency medals.
Advertisement: Story continues below
At least 50 police, including the riot squad, were called to the scene soon after 2.30pm.
The two leaders, protected by police and security officers, escaped through a side door after about 20 minutes.
Protesters chased their car down the road, banging on its roof and bonnet.
Reports that Ms Gillard was tackled or wrestled to the ground and dragged away by protesters turned out to be false.
7News reported that Ms Gillard may have been tackled to the ground by a protester before being "rescued" but the Prime Minister's office said she stumbled but did not touch the ground.
The protesters were there as part of a march to mark the 40th anniversary of the Tent Embassy.
The embassy is celebrating a 40-year milestone with a three-day "Corroboree for Sovereignty" with thousands of indigenous Australians travelling to Canberra for the occasion.
Tensions boiled over following comments Mr Abbott made in Sydney earlier in the day.
Mr Abbott said he understood why the tent embassy was set up ‘‘all those years ago".
"I think a lot has changed for the better since then," he said.
"I think the indigenous people of Australia can be very proud of the respect in which they are held by every Australian.
"I think a lot has changed since then, and I think it probably is time to move on from that."
For many Aboriginal people Australia Day is considered Invasion Day.
Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, embassy founder Michael Anderson addressed a rally at the site.
"To hell with the government and the courts in this country. You haven’t got a high hope to take us on," he said.
"We will force these issues.
"Too many of our families have suffered for some bastard to get in the road."
Read more: Gillard and Abbott trapped by protest
