Michael Matteson
Encyclopedia
Michael Matteson was an anti-war activist who resisted conscription
into the Australian Army during the Vietnam War
, due to his anarchist
philosophy and principals.
In 1972, Matteson was being escourted by two Commonwealth policemenhandcuffed to one at each wristas he had previously taken part in highly public escapes. As the police escorted him through Sydney University, thousands of university students non-violently confronted and blockaded the officers movement. The combined action of the students pressured the officers into freeing Matteson. The event became known as the "Michael Matteson Handcuff Incident".
Conscription in Australia
Conscription in Australia, or mandatory military service also known as National Service, has a controversial history dating back to the first years of nationhood...
into the Australian Army during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, due to his anarchist
Anarchism
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be undesirable, unnecessary, and harmful, or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations...
philosophy and principals.
In 1972, Matteson was being escourted by two Commonwealth policemenhandcuffed to one at each wristas he had previously taken part in highly public escapes. As the police escorted him through Sydney University, thousands of university students non-violently confronted and blockaded the officers movement. The combined action of the students pressured the officers into freeing Matteson. The event became known as the "Michael Matteson Handcuff Incident".