T-shirt fines? These things don't happen in Oz: Archbishop Fisher

Tag: australia
A Sydney court has been told tough new police powers, introduced for World Youth Day, restrict political debate. The No Pope Coalition is fighting to have the so-called "annoyance" laws overturned in the Federal Court, arguing the powers could limit free speech.

Rachael Evans from the No Pope Coalition said the government had turned New SOuth Wales into a police state by introducing the laws.

"These laws are very draconian, but we have a right to protest and say our peace - so we're calling on all sydney-siders to come and protest with us and defend the right to protest," she said.

The laws allow police and other emergency workers to "move-on" or fine people deemed to be "annoying" or inconveniencing pilgrims.

Coordinator, bishop Anthony Fisher said protesters had every right to be at the event as long as they were respectful.

He said the kinds of things the media had been reporting, like fines for t-shirts and placards, would not happen because this was Australia.

Tag: anthony-fisher
Tag: rachael-evans
Tag: no-pope-coalition
Tag: world-youth-day
Tag: sydney

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