We need to pay more attention to councils’ role in suppressing peaceful protest and criminalising marginalised people
A number of Extinction Rebellion activists were detained by police after some glued their hands to the pavement in the Queen Street Mall last October.A number of Extinction Rebellion activists were detained by police after some glued their hands to the pavement in the Queen Street Mall last October.
Today though, our various government jurisdictions are more subtle and sophisticated about controlling us while maintaining a shallow pretence of tolerating peaceful assembly.If you fill out enough forms, the state grudgingly permits you to protest at times and locations where relatively few people will notice you, and where journalists are less likely to cover your cause. But more effective forms of dissent are discouraged or even violently suppressed.
Fortunately, the court ruled that our protest placards did not fit the definition of “advertising signage”, but I was still found guilty of “holding an ‘unauthorised’ assembly”. Queensland’s Peaceful Assembly Act 1992 provides some protection for the right to protest . If you lodge a notice of intention to march down a road or gather in a square at least five business days in advance, the protest is automatically deemed “authorised” unless the local council or the Queensland police successfully apply to a magistrate to prevent the assembly. An “authorised” assembly is allowed to block roads and driveways.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Queenslanders plead guilty to looting during February floodsA Queensland man and his stepson have been sentenced to community service for looting a Brisbane business during a flood disaster in February. 9News
Read more »
Queenslanders plead guilty to looting during February floodsA Queensland man and his stepson have been sentenced to community service for looting a Brisbane business during a flood disaster in February. 9News
Read more »
Dexus picks up pace at $2b Waterfront BrisbaneThe riverside project has development approval from Brisbane City Council and involves two towers of 49 and 43 floors on the Eagle Street Pier site.
Read more »
Fast-growing SEQ council says it won’t be ‘Brisbane’s Parramatta’Mayors and suburban communities are arguing for new approaches to break the morning and afternoon peak hour rushes in and out of the Brisbane CBD.
Read more »
Drug syndicate disrupted with mass arrests across QueenslandPolice raids from Brisbane to Mackay have seen meth, guns and $200,000 cash seized and more than 230 charges laid.
Read more »
Natalie has cut her energy use to the bare minimum. But her bill is increasing anywayEven energy-conscious consumers who have reduced their power usage are being slugged with higher bills thanks to rising fixed daily charges.
Read more »