An activist who won a battle against anti free speech laws in New South Wales yesterday says the Iemma Labor Government should provide the same financial support to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras as it did for the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day.
Rachel Evans, from the NoToPope Coalition, pointed to a statement by Sydney’s Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, and said New Mardi Gras should receive $180 million in financial support, the amount that the Pope’s visit and World Youth Day received from state and federal ALP governments.
Ms Moore recently told SX magazine that the NSW Government should provide financial support to New Mardi Gras, which inject more than $45 million annually into the state economy whilst promoting diversity and tolerance.
“The Catholic Church is the third largest land owner in the world,” Ms Evans said.
“We taxpayers should not have to pay for this event.”
The World Youth Day Act, initiated by the NSW Government in 2006 to provide greater powers to police during July, was found to be invalid and unconstitutional by Justices Catherine Branson, Robert French and Margaret Stone.
Ms Evans told GAYinWA that the laws were an attack on both free speech and the right to protest.
“It’s great the court today ruled the annoyance laws invalid. We think the victory today is a victory for all protest movements,” she said.
“There is a heap of anger about the annoyance laws, lots of fear too. Many people were saying they would not rally because of the potential of being fined $5500 for wearing a t-shirt and handing out condoms.”
The NoToPope Coalition will converge at noon this Saturday at Taylor Square in Oxford Street, when thousands are expected to defend their right to protest, say no to homophobia, yes to condoms and defend reproductive rights.
Ms Evans told GAYinWA that “ten alternative commandments” would also be unveiled.
Comments (1)
World Youth Day written by Philip Goad, July 17, 2008 - 11:14:15 am CDT
I just spent the last week in Sydney and although the pilgrims themselves are essentially harmless (however annoying with their flags and chanting), every Sydneysider I spoke to was against World Youth Day. Most of their displeasure was aimed at the disruption to the city (George St was closed from Tuesday) and the cost of the event.
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written by Philip Goad, July 17, 2008 - 11:14:15 am CDT
I just spent the last week in Sydney and although the pilgrims themselves are essentially harmless (however annoying with their flags and chanting), every Sydneysider I spoke to was against World Youth Day.
Most of their displeasure was aimed at the disruption to the city (George St was closed from Tuesday) and the cost of the event.