Only doing my job ma'am: A minder hauls Gillard from the danger zone of Aboriginal protesters
Extraordinary scenes: Julia Gillard clings to her bodyguard as she is half-carried away from protesters in Canberra today
Chaotic: Miss Gillard stumbles and loses a shoe in the scuffle, but is caught by her personal security guard
Scramble: Riot police help her force a path through a crowd of rowdy protesters following a ceremony to mark Australia Day
Heading to safety: Dozens of extra police were called and after 20 minutes they escorted Miss Gillard from the building to an awaiting car
The protests appear to have been aimed primarily at opposition leader Tony Abbott, who was also in the building when some 200 demonstrators began banging on its windows, shouting 'shame' and 'racist'.
Mr Abbott had angered activists earlier in the day by saying it was time the nearby Aboriginal Tent Embassy 'moved on'.
The embassy, a ramshackle collection of tents and shelters on the lawn of Parliament House, is at the centre of the campaign for Aboriginal sovereignty and land rights.
Demonstrators had gathered to celebrate its 40th anniversary when they heard that Mr Abbott was nearby.
Taking no risks: A protester stands in front of policemen in Canberra as thousands of indigenous Australians gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Protest centre: The Aboriginal Tent Embassy, a collection of shelters on the lawns at Parliament House in Canberra, is celebrating its 40th anniversary
Miss Gillard and Mr Abbott had been handing out inaugural National Emergency Medals, presented as the country marked Australia Day.
Dozens of extra police were called to the scene and escorted them from the building after 20 minutes.
Australia Day marks the arrival of the first fleet of British colonists in Sydney on January 26, 1788.
Many Aborigines call it Invasion Day because the land was settled without a treaty with traditional owners.
Miss Gillard was unharmed and hosted another Australia Day function at her official residence in Canberra after the incident.
Another way to celebrate: Swimmers are seen competing in the Great Aussie Swim as part of the Australia Day festivities in Sydney Harbour
Celebrations: A cruise ship sporting a large national flag sails past in Sydney to celebrate Australia Day
Australia Day: A flotilla of boats pass the Opera House during the annual ferry boat procession in celebration of the annual event
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Julia Gillard rescued from Australia Day Aboriginal protesters as she's dragged to safety | Mail Online