Perth activist and women’s health doctor, Kamala Emanuel, was issued a move-on notice at an April 2012 rally against “fracking” for holding this banner while rangers tried to seize it.

She was charged with not obeying a police direction to stop taking part in a legal, peaceful protest.

Her trial began on November 28 (preceded by a successful solidarity action ) and is expected to conclude on January 24.

Join the solidarity protest:

9am Thurs 24 January

Perth Magistrates’ Court, 501 Hay St, Perth

More info: 0413 976 638

Council rangers tried to shut down the protest claiming that holding a banner was against their by-laws. Emanuel received a move-on notice by police and has been charged with not obeying a police direction to stop taking part in a legal, peaceful protest.

Join the solidarity protest:

9am, Wed 28 Nov

Perth Magistrate’s Court (501 Hay Street, Perth)

Attend on Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/357431201018815

Ph 0413 976 638 for more info.

DOWNLOAD: A4 poster (PDF)

DOWNLOAD: A6x4 flyers (PDF)

This is West TV’s Undercurrent report on the Defend Free Speech campaign’s Free Speech Festival from July 7. It can be found on YouTube here.

Revelations that the City of Perth has been harassing homeless people and issuing fines to people who hold cardboard signs highlights the undemocratic nature of City of Perth by-laws that contradict free speech rights according to the campaign group Defend Free Speech in Perth.

“We are outraged by the behaviour of Perth City Council in this matter,” said group spokesperson, Jess McLeod.

“This harassment of Perth’s poor really cuts to the heart of the inequality coming out of the mining boom,” said McLeod.

“Perth is home to the world’s richest woman and we are all subjected to imposing marketing campaigns by the big corporations that are benefiting from the boom, yet those who are cut out of the boom are penalised when they have to beg to survive.”

In a parallel development, Perth activist Kamala Emanuel was yesterday summonsed to court in relation to an April protest against gas fracking in which she was holding a banner.

“This is indicative of the harsh measures used to stifle criticism of the social consequences of environmental destruction related to the mining and resources boom,” said Alex Bainbridge, also of Defend Free Speech Perth.

“The Perth City Council involved the WA Police because the activist had the temerity to hold a banner which police tried to seize – a banner that incidentally opposed the social and environmental damage of the gas industry,” said Bainbridge.

“This is yet another example of city by-laws and police move-on notices being used to try to silence voices of opposition. We are regularly reminded of the mining and resources boom, but anyone who criticises the priorities of industry or exposes the existing inequality soon finds themselves in trouble in the Perth City Council.”

Kamala Emanuel is due to face court on August 9.

“Big companies like BHP can put up expensive signs which pollute the city scape while social and environmental activists and poor people face this kind of petty harassment,” said Seamus Doherty of Defend Free Speech Perth.
City of Perth “Signs Local Law 2005″ prohibits the “display [of] a hand held sign on … a public place [without approval]“. Defend Free Speech maintains that people do not need the permission of local governments or other authorities to exercise their rights to free speech and political dissent.

Defend Free Speech also condemns the City of Perth for their harassment and intimidation of the poor and homeless.

We call on the City of Perth to amend or rescind any and all local laws that interfere with free speech rights and/ or victimise the poor.

For further information or comment:

Jess McLeod 0416 160 605
Alex Bainbridge 0413 976 638
Seamus Doherty 0407 906 803

Eight community groups set up stalls in the Murray St Mall on June 9 and a number of people got up and spruiked their cause.

Council rangers came by, phoned their superiors and then left us alone.

Another victory for Free Speech in Perth!

The next steps in the campaign include a planning meeting at 6:30pm on Friday 15 June at the CitiPlace Community Centre and the major Festival of Free Speech from noon in the Forrest Place on July 7.

1pm, Murray St Mall, Sat 9 June.

If you’re concerned about defending free speech and defending the right to protest, get down to the Free Speech Speak-Out on Saturday 9th June.

When the rich and powerful want to get their message across, they buy a billboard, or a TV station, or a politician. For the rest of us, we cannot even hold a placard without facing fines. City of Perth by-laws prohibit the “display [of] a hand held sign on … a public place [without approval]“.

Bring your stalls, leaflets, posters and your voice! This is an event for those who think free speech should be free and who want to assert the power of society over the power of money.

This is an event in solidarity with every progressive group seeking to make their voices heard. This is an anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic event.

In particular, we will be promoting the major Festival of Free Speech on July 7 in Forrest Place.

Organised by Defend Free Speech Perth

Bring your stalls, leaflets, posters and your voice! This is an event for those who think free speech should be free and who want to assert the power of society over the power of money.

This is an event in solidarity with every progressive group seeking to make their voices heard. This is an anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-homophobic event.

12 noon, Sat 7 July

Forrest Place
Perth City

Perth City rangers were conspicuously absent as more than sixty people spoke freely in the Murray Street Mall on May 26. This speak-out was the first action called by new group Defend Free Speech Perth in response to a recent pattern of rangers harassing activist events.

Organisations represented among the people to speak included: the Nyoongar Tent Embassy, the Maritime Union of Australia and the United Motorcycle Council of WA.

The speak-out concluded with a unanimous agreement to return to Murray Street Mall on Saturday 9 June 2012 at 1pm. This also would also help pave the way towards the major Free Speech Festival planned for July 7.

Sign the open letter to show your support for Free Speech in Perth.

Activists in the newly formed Defend Free Speech in Perth group have organised a speak-out on Saturday 26th May, 1pm in Murray Street Mall.

Intending to defy City of Perth by-laws, activists from various groups have come together to assert:

• the right to assemble and protest;
• the right to hold up signs;
• the right to set up stalls to collect signatures on petitions and distribute information; and
• the right to put up posters to advertise community events.

Spokesperson for the group, Jess McLeod said:
“City of Perth by-laws contravene our basic right to free speech, and we intend to defy these laws.

“Activist, community and not-for-profit groups face enough hurdles, without the City Council cracking down on us for distributing information and getting petitions signed.

“These laws clearly disadvantage those who cannot afford the fees, and furthermore, the City of Perth Council should not have the final decision over what issues are allowed to be brought to the public.”

Another spokesperson, Alex Bainbridge said:
“This week it was revealed that Barnett’s Liberal party takes $25,000 per year from wealthy business people in return for exclusive lobbying meetings.

“Ordinary people who can’t afford such fees need the right to be able to organise and protest without interference from the City of Perth.”

For further information:
Alex Bainbridge 0413 976 638
Jess McLeod 0416 160 605
Seamus Doherty 0407 906 803

www.freespeechperth.org