History has shown us that protest is powerful.
Currently the Victorian government is planning to ban face masks, attachment devices and fully restrict protests near places of worship. The reforms risk impacting peoples’ fundamental democratic rights, including freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and freedom of association.
Can you email premier Jacinta Allen and tell her not to deny Victorians their democratic rights by imposing these harsh restrictions on peaceful protest in Victoria.
Australia has a long and proud history of protests movements which have led to significant change. When passionate and courageous people take action, they make the world a better place. Whether its are students protesting climate inaction or survivors of child sex abuse protesting the Catholic church, our governments should be encouraging Victorians participation in peaceful protest, not denying our democratic rights.
Masks are often used as a protection against surveillance, including by diaspora communities to protect protesters and their families from surveillance by foreign governments. This blanket ban on masks, puts at risk the right of freedom of expression and the right to privacy.
Restrictions on the right to protest, including Queensland laws imposing 2 year prison sentences on people using lock on devices, have impacted everyone’s ability to create change in recent years.
We also urge the Victorian Government to take meaningful action to address violence targeted at vulnerable faith-based communities and address rising antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism.