Support activists fined for expressing free speech
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Support activists fined for exercising free speech
A social justice activist has been hit with fines and court costs totalling $1,102.40 imposed by the City of Perth simply for being part of a group handing out anti-racist leaflets in the city on 30 January 2019. City of Perth officers and police shut down the group’s stall and later fined the organiser of the stall for breaching City of Perth by-laws preventing distributing pamphlets without a permit.
Any genuine democracy needs a flourishing of ideas. Corporations and the big political parties drown us in their advertising. Yet social justice activists trying to get out a message of solidarity and anti-racism are harassed and fined.
These by-laws are so draconian they even prevent you from holding up a placard without a permit from the City of Perth! Permits are also unaffordable for activist groups with no government funding. Environmental activists have also recently been threatened with huge fines in Perth for putting up posters, and in 2012 City of Perth officers shut down a CBD rally against gas fracking, seizing banners, placards and tables, claiming that they were in violation of council by-laws.
Funds raised will help to pay these unjust fines. The fine/costs need to be paid within 28 days. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and would help send a signal that we won’t be cowed by authorities cracking down our free speech and right to protest. Any funds above this amount will be used for a free speech campaign and social justice campaigning.
Please also sign the petition here .
A social justice activist has been hit with fines and court costs totalling $1,102.40 imposed by the City of Perth simply for being part of a group handing out anti-racist leaflets in the city on 30 January 2019. City of Perth officers and police shut down the group’s stall and later fined the organiser of the stall for breaching City of Perth by-laws preventing distributing pamphlets without a permit.
Any genuine democracy needs a flourishing of ideas. Corporations and the big political parties drown us in their advertising. Yet social justice activists trying to get out a message of solidarity and anti-racism are harassed and fined.
These by-laws are so draconian they even prevent you from holding up a placard without a permit from the City of Perth! Permits are also unaffordable for activist groups with no government funding. Environmental activists have also recently been threatened with huge fines in Perth for putting up posters, and in 2012 City of Perth officers shut down a CBD rally against gas fracking, seizing banners, placards and tables, claiming that they were in violation of council by-laws.
Funds raised will help to pay these unjust fines. The fine/costs need to be paid within 28 days. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and would help send a signal that we won’t be cowed by authorities cracking down our free speech and right to protest. Any funds above this amount will be used for a free speech campaign and social justice campaigning.
Please also sign the petition here .
Organizer
Alexis Vassiley
Organizer
East Fremantle, WA