Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Catholic protest could cost you $5500 fine

Any attacks or protests against the Catholic Church or it's World Youth Day event could cost you a whopping fine or arrest.

The laws, which will operate until the end of July, allow police to request protesters to cease any activity, including wearing dissenting T-Shirts, riding a skateboard or playing music.

Under the laws, police will be able to request anybody to stop their protest or action against the event.

The laws are designed to stop people from "causing annoyance".

The laws have since been slammed as a harsh infringement of human rights and have put the State Government's priorities under serious question.

"If someone flashes a WYD participant they will face a $1100 penalty but if they wear an anti-Catholic T-shirt they could face a $5500 penalty," Greens MP Lee Rhiannon is quoted as saying.

The new laws will be in effect for the World Youth Day event, due to be hosted this month in Sydney.

Critics say the laws are even stronger than those during last September's APEC event.

The new laws apply around areas of World Youth Day activity, including Randwick Racecourse and Darling Harbour.

Police will also be able to subject members of the public to random searches, including with the use of force.

"Reasonable force may be used to effect the person's exclusion," the laws state.

The Catholic Church will receive hundreds of millions of dollars in public funding for the event.
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