… TO OPPOSE THE PROPOSED ANTI-PROTEST BILL
Grassroots environmental group Groundswell Tasmania’s #CELLFIE campaign to oppose the proposed anti-protest Bill is having its second public outing today at the Farmgate Market in Bathurst St on Sunday morning, between 9 and 11 to show the state government that there are countless people in Tasmania from many walks of life who will be affected by and are adamantly opposed to the Liberal government’s proposed anti-protest laws. Protesters will be stepping into the #CELLFIE cell to take a ‘selfie’. The #CELLFIE campaign will continue throughout October until the 28th, when the Bill is set to be debated in the Upper House.
The Liberal party’s proposed Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Bill, if it passes, will hit peaceful protesters with a $10 000 fine for a first offence, and a mandatory minimum jail sentence of 3 months for people who protest a second time. Today’s action aims to demonstrate that these tyrannical punishments will not act as a deterrent to those who believe in freedom of speech and the right to peacefully protest. People are invited to join Groundswell Tasmania at the Farmgate Market today and have their picture taken “behind bars”.
“Protesting against issues people feel strongly about is a fundamental part of any democracy. The proposed Workplaces (Protection from Protesters) Bill is extreme, redundant, and would seriously weaken the democracy we have here in Tasmania.” Groundswell Tasmania spokesperson Dr Lisa Searle said. “This government aims to censor legitimate concerns of Tasmanian people and we will not submit to these bullying tactics by Paul Harriss and this government. We are calling on our Legislative Councillors to scrap this draconian Bill. No amount of amendments will make this Bill reasonable or acceptable.” She said.
People are invited to send photos of themselves behind bars in solidarity with Tasmanians and to tweet their #CELLFIE on Twitter to be part of this campaign.
Dr Lisa Searle, Groundswell
