fines on annoying pilgrims is unconstitutional
from AntBlog701

fines on annoying pilgrims is unconstitutional

A belated news, that is important to mention. I was in Melbourne last week to avoid Sydney's Would Youth Day lockdown.

On Tuesday 15th July, World Youth Day Protesters have won the right to annoy pilgrims by successfully challenging controversial police powers given secretly by the NSW Premier. (link) They are helping the world by distributing condoms and contraceptive advice. The State government's shameful power gives police and authorities (including untrained personnel) power to fine people up to $5,500 for causing annoyance to WYD participants. The regulation banned protesters from annoying pilgrims was declared unconstitutional.

Thank you Rachel Evans and Amber Pike from No To Pope Coalition for challenging those unethical and disgraceful powers and giving back the rights to us. Law Society Hugh Macken says “It is a victory for common sense, it is a victory for freedom of speech.”

Shame on you NSW Premier for enjoying assigning unconstitutional powers. Also shame on power greedy NSW Police for enjoying additional but unconstitutional powers.

Sydney hosted World Youth Day 2008, with about 4.5
On Sunday, about 400,000 people in Randwick Racecourse for perhaps the biggest Sunday mass ever seen in Australia. Randwick Racecourse is not far where Rev. Dr. Wu Yi's place. He was wise to avoid the crowd. The authorities are spending $15 million to turn the Randwick Racecourse back to normal, well, what it was built for... horses, trainers, and punters.

The Pope leaves Australia today.

Madrid, Spain will be the next World Youth Day in 2011. Good luck to those non-Catholics in Madrid for the city lockdown.

WYD = SYD lockdown (15 July 2008)
the count down... (8 July 2008)