‘Just absurd’: Arrestee on Queensland’s laws banning Palestine freedom slogans |
Twenty Palestine justice activists were arrested by Queensland Police Service (QPS) at the Not Our Law rally in Magan-djin/Brisbane on April 18.
Their “crime” was to display or speak the illegal phrase “From the River to the Sea”. The outcome was not unexpected because the protest was designed to highlight the absurdity of these acts being criminal offences.
The arrestees now face charges based on the offence of recital, distribution, publication or display of prohibited expressions, contrary to section 52DA of the Criminal Code Act 1899 (Qld).
To prove this crime, which carries up to two year’s prison and/or a fine of $25,035, it has to be shown that a reasonable person might feel “menaced, harassed or offended” by someone saying “From the river to the sea” and “Globalise the intifada”.
The first is a popular chant that the pro-Palestine solidarity movement has been using over the last nearly 3 years of Israel’s genocide in Gaza. The second is hardly used by anyone in Palestine protests.
This particular Justice for Palestine Magan-djin rally was not the first time police went in hard over words arranged in a certain way.
The Liberal National David Crisafulli government and the QPS arrested people protesting the law just a few hours after it first took effect. But as the law does allow for the use of the phrases “in the public interest”, those charged will likely be found not guilty.
Alex Bainbridge, a Green Left journalist and Socialist Alliance member, was arrested for allegedly breaking the law. He now faces time in jail for making a speech which explained why the laws were wrong and carrying a sign stating that the public has a right to know that the phrase “is a freedom slogan, not a message of hate”.
Justice for Palestine Magan-djin is launching a High Court challenge to the law.
NSW Premier Chris Minns wants to pass similar laws, but as many of his anti-protest laws have already been found to be unconstitutional he says he will wait to see how the Queensland challenge goes.
Sydney Criminal Lawyers spoke to Bainbridge about the weekend of protest against the law in Magan-djin/Brisbane. Bainbridge is also active in Justice for Palestine Magan-djin.
Justice for Palestine Magan-djin organised a rally to oppose the laws that specifically ban a couple of political slogans. Arrests were made. Can you fill us in on what happened?
There were 22 people arrested over the course of the weekend at three different events. Friday night was the John Farnham inspired flash mob. People........