MOVE-ON: Once the location of anti-McDonalds graffiti and signage, the site of the McDonalds Tecoma protest is now bare. PHOTO: STEVEN CSORGO
Victoria’s new anti-protest laws could result in the obstruction of community movements, says protestors.
The laws, which give police enhanced authority to remove protestors they deem potentially violent or obstructive, may deter communities from seeking change through lawful protests.
Protesters are concerned with how police will interpret these laws, and whether they will need to change the way they protest.
“I think it’s really going to interfere with the way we currently protest” said Denise McKay, who is a Tecoma resident protesting against the construction of a McDonalds in her town.
“The problem with it is that it will be based on the police’s decision on whether they want to work for the government or a corporation to prevent a protest…its very subjective.” said Mrs. McKay.
Heath Pawliy, who is also a part of the protest against a McDonalds in the Dandenong Ranges, said that he was concerned about new community movements that have yet to gain momentum being broken up.
“The real problem is it might affect other campaigns from ever starting.”
The laws also give courts the power to issue exclusion orders, barring repeating protestors from a location for up to 12 months.
Mr. Pawliy said that this will make it difficult for the community to see the level of support for a movement while giving a false representation of the movement to politicians and the media.
“It’s a stab in the heart to free speech” said Garry Muratore, the Media and Communications Officer for the anti-McDonalds movement in the Dandenongs.
Mr. Muratore is sceptical of how necessary these new laws are.
“It’s going to be pretty hard for a politician to stand up and law these laws are good, when you see nothing but peaceful Mums and Dads protesting.”
Robert Doyle, Lord Mayor of Melbourne, has said that the extension of these laws will assist in removing anti-abortion protestors from a clinic in Melbourne, who have been hounding patients.
However, many protestors say that as long as they are not violent or destructive, they have a right to be there and protest.
The laws follow recent worldwide trend of governments cracking down on protests, particularly in the United States.
Locally, many movements will now have to start thinking about whether they can continue protesting in the same way.
Steven Csorgo.
All information from:
http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubPDocs.nsf/ee665e366dcb6cb0ca256da400837f6b/b8fb3ba5e9900cb8ca257c3d007aebe7/$FILE/571141exi1.pdf
Slideshow gallery featuring the latest developments in the “NO McDonalds in the Dandenong Ranges” protest. Photos: Steven Csorgo
PHOTOS: STEVEN CSORGO
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