3 days ago
Protesters rally against Allan government's anti-protest laws
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Up to 200 serial protesters, extremists and legal figures have gathered on the steps of the Victorian parliament to urge the Allan government to drop its upcoming anti-protest laws.
The state government is gearing up to introduce laws banning face masks, terrorist flags, rope, locks, chains and glue in a bid to shut down major disruptions and extremist behaviour at protests.
The move, however, has attracted huge backlash among Melbourne's activist community who claim the proposed laws impede on free speech.
About 200 activists from dozens of pro-Palestine, Indigenous, legal and union groups, gathered in the rain outside parliament, partially blocking Spring St, to condemn the proposal on Tuesday night.
Organisers, Defend Dissent Coalition, claimed that the banning of masks would prevent protesters from being 'Covid safe' and being shielded against capsicum spray launched by police.
They also claimed that the banning of terrorist symbols would put 'restrictions on symbols of resistance'.
The activists are also arguing that a ban on 'dangerous devices' such as locks, ropes and glue goes against Labor's idolising of unionist and women's rights campaigner Zelda D'Aprano, who used chains during her protests.
Indigenous activist Robbie Thorpe and Greens MP Katherine Copsey were among the speakers.
Ms Copsey told the crowd the state government was attempting to shut down their right to 'peaceful protest'.
'Rather than listen to people, Labor is continuing to forge ahead with legislation that seeks to suppress citizens in this state,' she said.
'Shame,' activists yelled.
One anti-Israel speaker called out Anthony Albanese over his recognition of Palestine, saying that was 'not what we're asking for'.
'Too late, buddy,' she said.
'We demand sanctions now.'
Some held up signs reading 'Jacinta Allan it's time to start listening: hands off protest rights'.
It comes after Ms Allan hit out at 'anti-Semites' and 'extremists' who targeted Jewish philanthropists, the Gandels, at a protest which sent the NGV into lockdown last month.
Over the weekend, Ms Allan also condemned a group of about 150 neo-Nazis who marched through the CBD in balaclavas, calling them 'cowards' and 'goons'.
'Our criminal anti-vilification laws come into effect next month. We will introduce powers for police to unmask cowards at protests after that,' she said.
'We're not afraid of these goons — but we won't tolerate them, either.'
Ms Allan first announced she would introduce new laws that would fill gaps in federal anti-terror legislation, unmask protesters who wear face coverings and ban the use of glue, rope, chains and locks used for maximum disruption in December last year following the terrorist bombing of Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea.
