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Threatened with unfair legal action

Over the past few years the people of New South Wales have watched helplessly as their rights were revoked, their livelihoods ruined and the culture of their community destroyed – all for the benefit of corporations, developers, casinos and politicians. Since the start of the year, Surely Not - an independent page run by one guy with a passion for investigative journalism - has been trying to do something about it.

Surely Not is purely a labour of love. It's not funded or sponsored in any way, shape or form and I do not receive any income or benefit for what I do. My motivation has always been, and always will be, to speak the truth, do the right thing and try to make a difference.

Speaking out against the powers that be has ruffled more than a few feathers in the last 6 months. In response to various investigations and articles, I’ve found myself the subject of smear campaigns, online abuse and even threats of violence – all part of the territory.

I’ve now also received multiple threats of legal action from the government funded anti-alcohol lobbyists, the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE). I’ve received threats on behalf of the organisation, their CEO Michael Thorn and CFO Sharrin Wells.

Lawyers acting for Mr Thorn, Ms Wells and FARE are claiming multiple counts of defamation as a result of a thorough investigation I conducted into their activities and operations. Surely Not is built on credibility, accuracy and exposing the truth. I only ever publish articles that are 100% factual and I always use publicly available information as reference material. It would be both hypocritical and deceitful for me to do otherwise. The claims made my FARE relate to the following article, originally published a month ago, but not promoted or shared until now.

You can read it in full here - http://wp.me/p76bah-1Ez

As with every article, the upmost care has been taken to ensure every published is 100% true. Everything in this piece has come entirely from information sourced via FARE’s financial documents and other public information. It would appear that these threats have been made with the intention of intimidating me into silence.

The article that drew the ire of Mr Thorn and co questioned how FARE used taxpayers money, given they were established with a government grant of over 100 million dollars.  It would appear they now think running a lawsuit against an out of work hospitality guy who’s trying to start a small business while moonlighting as a small time independent blogger is a good investment?!?! Or do they assume that given they have tens of millions of dollars in resources and I have nothing but a laptop and an overdue internet bill I wouldn’t dare put up a fight?

I have no intention of allowing myself to be threatened and bullied into suppressing the truth, not after fighting so hard against the bullshit we’ve all been victims of. I will not lie down and allow the prohibitionists to keep attacking local businesses, people’s livelihoods, our lives and our city.  I stand by my work and does not believe it is right for an individual to be bullied into silence for doing something they believe in, just because they do not have the resources to mount a fair and just defence. But given I have been out of full time employment and attempting to get my own small business off the ground for the last few months, I do not have the capability to stand up to an organisation with substantial resources at their disposal.

Unfortunately, defending threats of this nature can be an extremely expensive exercise, regardless of how bogus they are. I ask for your support so I can mount a legal defence and continue speaking out against all who look to attack our way of life. Any assistance would be greatly valued and appreciated. Naturally, I’ll be keeping you updated every step of the way.

Large organisations and corporations are fully aware the legal system makes it extremely hard for individuals to be fairly represented. Every human being deserves the right of fair access to the legal system – not just those who can afford to use it to their advantage.

All funding received will go towards legal costs incurred as a result of defamation proceedings.

No funding target has been set because it’s impossible to predict what the costs could end up amounting to. Any funding is greatly appreciated and I will continue his defence regardless of how much is generously donated and I'm prepared to represent myself if all other avenues are exhausted.

In the event funding received exceeds the cost of legal fees, donors will be asked for assistance in determining a deserving cause or charity (or charities) to which I will make a donation to.

Your generosity is humbly requested so that I can stand up not just for myself and my work, but for all who have been impacted by the unjust actions I speak out against. 

If any business owners (especially those in the hospitality industry) are interested in making a donation I will offer promotion and advertising for venue or company. Please contact me directly to discuss further.

Any donation is appreciated – both as a financial contribution and as a show of support. People like you are what inspires the work of Surely Not. The support shown by friends, family and complete strangers is what motivates me to keep doing what I do. I'm taking a stand so I can keep up the fight and prevent an organisation using wealth and power to silence the little guy. If there is to be any chance of justice your support is essential.

Thank you

Sincerely, 
Chris Sinclair

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To read more - http://wp.me/p76bah-1Ez

Please donate if you believe -

· Justice is not just for multi-million dollar organisations;

· Speaking out against inequitable policies, procedures and regulations is vital;

· Right of protest must be protected;

· Governments need greater transparency and accountability

· Standing up for what you believe in and what is right should be encouraged, not suppressed;

· Freedom of speech and ethical freedom of the press is important;

· Independent voices and ideas need to be heard along with the mainstream media;

· Organisations have no right to use money and power to influence public policy;

Organizer

Chris Sinclair
Organizer
Haymarket NSW

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