Australia: democracy is essential
Introducing the campaign statement "Democracy is Essential", Powered by fellow Socialist Alternative from Australia.
This campaign seeks to confront the restrictions on social protest imposed by the government of New South Wales, state where the city of Sydney is located. It arises as a response to an escalation of acts of police intervention against social and political mobilizations. In these events there have been arrests, including comrades from Socialist Alternative. We call to carry forward the broadest solidarity with comrades, adhering to the declaration with the signature of representatives of political organizations, human rights, legislators or union representatives, student and social movements.
Democracy is Essential - Open Statement
Restoration of the right to protest in New South Wales. Democracy is essential.
We call for an exception to the NSW Public Health ordinance for protest meetings.
The protests have been effectively banned, indefinitely, in New South Wales. This is the situation as it currently stands, following recent interpretation and enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions by NSW Police. Any public gathering of more than 20 people, with the "common purpose" of protesting, no matter how far apart the participants are or the size of the area, considers himself illegal. The repression began in earnest with the Black Lives Matter demonstration on 28 of July, in which they stopped 5 people and the police dispersed the protest before it could begin. He continued with the 2 arrests at a student demonstration at the University of Sydney against dismissals on 31 of July, and again at another rally at the University of Sydney against layoffs and higher education fees on 28 of August, in which 10 people were arrested. All those arrested received fines of $1,000 and participants in the most recent demonstration reported that the police had lists of known activists to attack and threatened to charge people with multiple crimes. The maximum penalty that can be applied is a fine of $11,000 Y 6 months in prison. For all those who value democratic rights, this situation is outrageous and intolerable.
The repression of protests cannot be justified on legitimate health grounds. We, along with most Australians, We support the various restrictions and quarantine that have been put in place in recent months to control the spread of the deadly Coronavirus. In fact, many of us have argued that it should be deepened. But so far, protests have been targeted in absurd and hypocritical ways. In New South Wales, up to 10,000 attend NRL games and 50 people in a single corporate box. 300 they can be in a casino, pub the restaurant. Schools are not closed. Thousands of people flock to the beaches again. 500 people can attend community sporting events. Y, Nevertheless, a demonstration with 21 participants, socially estranged and wearing masks, considers himself illegal.
further, not a single documented case of coronavirus spread has occurred at a protest in Australia. Now we know that outdoor activities, combined with the use of masks, they are one of the safest things to do, and we are committed to organizing protests in the safest way possible. The virus is spreading overwhelmingly indoors and indoors.
Some say the protests should be halted for now, given the danger of COVID-19. The problem with this is twofold. First, we don't know how long this protest ban could last. If it is possible to develop a vaccine, could still be missing 12 O 18 months. The number of cases in New South Wales is currently very low and, Nevertheless, this prohibition is in force. We are unwilling to accept a ban on protests for such a long and indeterminate period.
Secondly, the injustices and urgent causes for which we protest have not been put on hold. Deaths of Black people in custody and racism in the criminal justice system continue. Refugees continue to be incarcerated in Nauru and in urban hotels. The climate catastrophe continues, with the Morrison government giving the green light to further expansion of the fossil fuel industry. The working class faces an unprecedented crisis of mass layoffs, unemployment and attacks on wages and conditions in the coming months. We need the right to protest more than ever.
Thus, We demand that protests be exempt from the NSW Public Health Order (COVID-19 Restrictions to Reunion and Movement), in order to preserve our democratic rights. This would be an incredibly easy step for the New South Wales government. They have already granted exemptions to ski resorts, recreation boats, places of worship and netball associations.
We call for an end to excessive surveillance of demonstrations by NSW Police and an end to the use of movement orders to break up public gatherings.
Can signhere
