NSW court riles against Sydney Opera House march this weekend

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The highest court in New South Wales has banned a pro-Palestinian march route to the Sydney Opera House on Sunday. Police took the legal action against organisers citing safety concerns. They've now negotiated an alternative route.

Transcript

00:00The Palestine Action Group's sites were set on a landmark with plans for 40,000 people

00:08to march to the Opera House, but the Court of Appeal has found the safety risk to participants

00:13and the public was extreme and so significant that it would be irresponsible to allow the

00:19public assembly to proceed, irrespective of the political significance of the event and

00:25the importance of freedom of political expression.

00:27Our right to protest is paramount in a democratic society and the campaign in solidarity with

00:33Palestine has been absolutely an example about why we need to enshrine the right to protest

00:40in our legal system.

00:42Protesters said it could be done safely, but police insisted a crowd crush was a real risk.

00:48We would say common sense prevailed on a public safety issue and that's what it was always

00:54about.

00:55We've got every right early in the process to point out what the dangers were and say

00:59we don't think it should take place here.

01:02Organisers have negotiated another route for Sunday from Hyde Park to Belmore Park.

01:07And we will also be calling on that day for Chris Minns to light up the Opera House in

01:12the colours of the Palestinian flag.

01:13The response was swift.

01:15No.

01:16This decision has clarified that the consequences of breaching a prohibition order may include

01:21being held in contempt of court.

01:24That differs from some previous rulings, which meant participants could attend unauthorised

01:28events just with fewer legal protections.

01:31I think that anyone who is concerned about the right to protest in this country has a very

01:35strong interest in considering and challenging this judgement.

01:38the end of one case, potentially the prelude to others.

01:42the end of the day's been held when the protest will be provided No.

01:47in the end of one case, nor do you have any issues for

01:51, not to do the war, but the subject could be indicated through the

01:54next chapter.

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