Australian Aid for Ireland (NSW Branch) PO Box 2363, Smithfield NSW 2164
Fact sheet on political censorship of 20 March protest
Two dozen New South Wales cops moved quickly on 20 March 2000 to threaten
a dozen members and supporters of Australian Aid for Ireland (AAI) with
arrest if they didn't surrender banners and signs protesting British rule
in Northern Ireland at the official welcome ceremony for Queen Elizabeth
at the Opera House. The English queen was on a 16-day visit.
The cloth banners read "British troops out of Ireland" and "Blair! Honour
the Good Friday Agreement!" Placards included: "Release all political
prisoners", "Disband the RUC", "Justice for Rosemary Nelson & Pat
Finucane" and "Bloody Sunday 1972: Truth & Justice now!". Within a few
minutes the police succeeded in confiscating the banners and signs. The
placards were destroyed but the banners were returned to protest
organizers after the queen's departure for Darling Harbour.
The peaceful, legal protest had been publicised the day before at the
annual St. Patrick's Day parade, with AAI members carrying the same
banners and placards in a well-received contingent. A news release
announcing the protest was faxed to the media on 17 March. AAI members had
received notification of the plan to protest some weeks earlier.
Constable Lee McCarthy of the City East Target Action Group was challenged
by two protesters holding the "troops out" banner as to what law was being
broken when he demanded they take the banner down. McCarthy backed off to
consult with higher-ups, saying, "I'll give you two minutes". When he
returned, he confiscated the banner and said, "My commander has told me
that no material on Northern Ireland is permitted here today". McCarthy
identified the commander as Inspector David Darcy. Shortly after, the
other banner and the placards were confiscated. At no time did anyone
associated with the AAI protest violate any law, nor were any AAI members
or supporters charged with anything.
AAI raises funds for Irish political prisoners and educates on the truth
about the Irish freedom struggle. The group helped organize the historic
visit of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams and other Sinn Fein leaders to
Australia in early 1999. Adams had been refused a visa by the Australian
government for more than two years.
In a 21 March statement, state Labor MP Paul Lynch called the police
actions "quite outrageous ... a substantial attack upon our democratic
traditions of free speech. What on earth do these police think gives them
the right to become political censors of which banners or placards can be
displayed.... The NSW Police Service should not be playing the role of
'thought police'. This sort of behaviour by the police cannot be
tolerated." Lynch has written to the minister for police, Labor MP Paul
Whelan, protesting over the incident. According to a report in the 23
March Sydney Morning Herald concerning the incident, a spokesperson for
Minister Whelan told the paper that Lynch's complaint "had been referred
to the Police Service for investigation".
For more information contact: Marnie Kennedy on 0412 723 110 or Paddy
Gorman on 0418 116 426.
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