<
https://mals.au/2021/01/15/statement-of-concern-the-misuse-of-council-local-laws-to-restrict-protest/>
"For some time now Victoria Police have been using a City of Melbourne Council
by-law – Activities Local Law 2019 – as a way of controlling and restricting
protest events.
Specifically Victoria Police have been calling City of Melbourne compliance
officers to enforce Sections 5.7 and 12.8 of this Local Law to restrict any use
of amplified sound at protest events.
On Wednesday 13th January 2021, two protesters using a small portable speaker
system were threatened with $500 fines and then issued with Notices to Comply
by council officers at a refugee protest event at 1 Treasury Place in East
Melbourne. Protesters have been informed that a $500 fine is in the mail.
In this and other recent cases, police notify the City of Melbourne council and
request Council authorised officer attend the event in order to issue the
notices. Council officers are often accompanied by multiple police when handing
out the Notices. In the case above, protesters were surrounded by police when
council officers issued the notices. Police members have been provided with
Execution instructions explaining use of the local law in the form of a
powerpoint presentation print out.
Victoria Police members have also threatened people using hand-held megaphones
at a related protest outside the Park Hotel in Swanston St, Carlton with these
same local laws."
Via Muse, who wrote "A friend of mine recently had some of his gear confiscated
by the police while at an evironmental protest in the city. The police are
selectively applying council by-laws for
busking as a way to fine and jail
protestors."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
