Is there a right to protest? In some countries it is just too risky even if it is not illegal. The Tiananmen Square protests in China left hundreds, if not thousands dead, although many Chinese might not know of it now. Many other countries have similar stories.
The Kenyan President William Ruto had declared “Don’t kill them, but ensure their legs are broken” as a way of handling disruptive protesters, so it might be legal but certainly not advised.
Both of these examples are the extremes but what of a peaceful country like Australia? In one of our states, Victoria, there are frequent and increasingly aggressive protests so the government is looking at bringing in new rules. The regular protestors or ‘professional’ agitators face court based exclusion orders which if they defy can result in up to two years in jail or fines of up to $22,000. The wearing of masks, often by far-right individuals or groups, is also going to be banned.
There are many civil libertarians who are concerned by these changes and will oppose them.
We have the right for peaceful and safe protest and must protect that right, but can we?
Dennis Fitzgerald,
Melbourne, Australia
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