The NSW Government is seeking to have a Black Lives Matter protest planned in Sydney deemed illegal by the Supreme Court.
This comes as the South Australian police commissioner has granted permission for a Black Lives Matter protest to proceed in Adelaide.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the government would "never ever give the green light to thousands of people flagrantly disregarding the health orders".
It's a backflip on her comments yesterday, when she said people should have the right to protest so long as they can maintain social distancing.
"So, the process that is intended or was intended to go on tomorrow will be sought to have an injunction put on against in the Supreme Court - or the application has been made and the Police Commissioner will outline that in further detail."
UPDATES: George Floyd memorial held; Investigation into NYC police clashes
Up to 4000 people are expected to gather in Adelaide's Victoria Square on Saturday before marching through the city in support of the global calls for justice for George Floyd.
Commissioner Grant Stevens said today's exemption will allow the event to go without breaching COVID-19 restrictions but those taking part must still be mindful of their own health and the health of others.
https://twitter.com/ellakduffy/status/1268735305554685952Prime Minister Scott Morrison earlier told people not to participate in the protests over the weekend amid the coronavirus pandemic.
He delivered a clear message when asked this morning: "don't go".
"Let's find a better way and another way to express these sentiments, rather than putting your own health at risk, the health of others at risk, the great gains we have been able to make as a country in recent months, and let's not forget the terrible economic consequences of that as well, let's not put that at risk, let's exercise our liberties responsibly."
Thousands of people are expected at the marches to protest against police brutality and show support for Indigenous Australians.
Police, politicians and health experts are divided on the issue, with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian giving the green light for a Sydney march yesterday.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton told Today this morning protesters had other avenue to express their views such as online forums.
"If we end up with even a hundred people with COVID out of this, let alone thousands, then that is a very, very bad outcome. I would encourage everybody that's thinking about the protests to do it from home, and to be safe," he said.
READ MORE: How George Floyd protests and riots began, explained
READ MORE: Protests calm in US
UPDATES: NSW hospitals free of COVID-19 patients; No new deaths in New York for first day since March
NSW Police Minister David Elliott said those planning to attend the Sydney march were "not normal".
"I don't think anyone who goes out during a pandemic and joins a mass gathering is of sound mind," he told Ben Fordham on 2GB radio.
In Victoria, the Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton urged people not to attend the Melbourne demonstration.
"We are still in the middle of a pandemic and this protest carries real risks for all Victorians, particularly those in vulnerable groups," Professor Sutton said.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said there was pain and anguish about Aboriginal deaths in custody, but now was not the time to take action in the streets.
"We are concerned about the potential for a second wave," Ms Mikakos said, urging protesters to contact their MPs instead.
Organisers are recommending face masks should be worn, and attendees even self-isolate for two weeks after attending.
Up to 20,000 people are expected at the march in Melbourne.
However, police won't be arresting or fining people for breaking social distancing rules, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.
Labor frontbencher and Melbourne MP Richard Marles told Today while standing up to racism was important, there were major health risks during the pandemic.
"We do need to be listening to medical advice in this moment. I mean, obviously, if people gathering ended up spreading the disease with the result of somebody doing, that would be a very bad outcome," he said.
Meanwhile, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said the Sydney event will require a major policing operation over the busy weekend.
"With the amount of people that are gathering together, it is a chance to take away all the good work we've done so far with COVID. Coming into the long weekend, my concentration particularly is around the road toll, and saving lives on our roads," he told Today.
He says enforcing social distancing at the protest will be "very difficult" for officers.
US citizens have also been advised by their embassy to avoid the march.
from 9News https://ift.tt/2Y03Ehy
via IFTTT
0 Comments