Write to your NSW representatives about proposed new anti-protest laws
Ideas for what to write
Introduce yourself and say why you care about the right to protest.
Let them know you are writing to express concern about the proposed introduction of new laws that will mean police can move on protestors near places of worship with no justification and expose individuals to 2 years imprisonment for any conduct near places of worship that could be perceived as harassment, including chanting.
State that people going in or out of a place of worship or who are worshipping inside should be able to do so safely, free of harassment, intimidation and violence, and that existing legislation covers instances of violence, harassment or intimidation in the vicinity of religious institutions (the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act, the Crimes Act, the Anti-Discrimination Act).
Express support for a targeted response to address racist violence instead including measures to prevent far-right extremism and a bolstering of community based multiculturalism initiatives.
Note that the proposed new laws are not in line with international human rights law, which suggests that protective limits to the right to protest should be based on the content of the messages of people participating in the protest, rather than where protest takes place.
Express alarm that the new laws would bring NSW closer to an authorisation system for protests, which is illegal under international law. Protests that don't notify police of their gathering and comply with police conditions can now be subject to move on orders simply because they are near a place of worship. The current notification system has been called undemocratic by the NSW Council for Civil Liberties and has been misused by police to intimidate protestors, with NSW Police twice taking protestors to court last year to try to deny them protections. These laws will bring us closer to a system where police are in charge of permitting or denying protests. This is an affront to democracy as well as an inappropriate use of police resources.
Mention that leaders from 12 faith communities have expressed their concern about the laws to the Premier, Attorney General and Multiculturalism Minister and asked for it to be sent to committee and subject to a proper consultation process. If you are part of a faith community and are concerned about how the laws interact with that community’s political participation and values, mention this in your letter.
Wrap up with some points about why you care about the right to protest and why it is important to our democracy.
The NSW government is on the brink of proposing new anti-protest laws that will mean police can move on protestors near places of worship with no justification and expose individuals to 2 years imprisonment for any conduct near places of worship that could be perceived as harassment, including chanting.
The government has proposed these laws in the wake of violent attacks on places of worship - but instead of offering a targeted response to address racist violence, the laws attack peaceful protest and democratic participation.
The proposed new laws conflate public protests with harassing worshippers. Unnecessary restrictions on the right to protest create risks for people advocating for a more just and equitable society and harm our democracy.
The proposed laws arelikely to be introduced to Parliament tomorrow (Weds 12th Feb). Take 3 minutes to express your concern to your NSW elected representative here.
Use the suggested points above - even a couple of sentences can make an impact. If you can, include why you care about the right to protest.
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