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[–] 152 points 4 months ago (1 child)

Just because something is illegal, doesn’t make it wrong and just because something is legal, doesn’t make it right. We need more illegal action against those who oppress legally.

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  • [–] 131 points 4 months ago (33 children)

    Again, why does any country who is not Israel care at all about this? Does Australia have a military base there?

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    [–] 71 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    The Coalition were all about free speech when Andrew Bolt published a series of articles explicitly attacking and trying to humiliate named Aboriginal people on the basis of (what he decided was) their race. They tried to weaken the racial discrimination act. Brandis even said Australians have "a right to be bigots" - this was only 12 years ago. The double standard is breathtaking.

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  • [–] 6 points 4 months ago

    I'm gona jump in to defend Brandis a little here and say his views on these things are usually ideologically consistent. I don't know if he's been asked specifically about this case, but his response (if he decided to respond), would likely be worth listening to. Even if disagreeable.

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  • [–] 5 points 4 months ago

    Not at all shocking because it was never really a double standard.

    The LNP exists to maintain the current power structures of Australia. If you in any way threaten that structure (based on Anglo-European patriarchal values) the LNP will be against you. If you uphold those values they will support you.

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  • [–] 62 points 4 months ago (1 child)
  • [–] [S] 48 points 4 months ago (3 children)

    Are we ok with this people?

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  • [–] 40 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    Obviously, assuming this is the whole story, no. Are there any planned protests? Is there an open donation box for this person's legal fees open? Is there any other way in which the average person can help?

    I'm getting sick of rhetorical questions about tyrannical governments, without any effort made to show people what they realistically can do to help.

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  • [–] 26 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    Is there an open donation box for this person’s legal fees open?

    Just had a look and found this one: https://chuffed.org/project/173177-justice-for-palestine-legal-defence

    Are there any planned protests?

    Justice for Palestine Magan-Djin (indigenous name for Brisbane) has announced a 'weekend of action' against the laws on the 18th-19th of April: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVvfrhOk20n/

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    [–] 43 points 4 months ago* (1 child)

    NO ONE

    WANTS

    TO DIE

    FOR ISRAEL

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    [–] 30 points 4 months ago (10 children)

    I got down voted last time for pointing out that "between the river and the sea" was the motto of the town of mosman park

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  • [–] 15 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    It's also a John Farnham song

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  • [–] 10 points 4 months ago (7 children)

    Close. There are two potentially relevant Farnam songs that may have been conflated in this discourse. One is That’s Freedom, which includes the lines "From the mountain to the valley / From the ocean to the alley / From the highway to the river". And the other is Two Strong Hearts, which repeatedly uses the line "Reaching out forever like a river to the sea". Neither quite uses "from the river to the sea", but together they give the same sort of impression.

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    [–] 27 points 4 months ago (7 children)

    Does Australia not have freeze peach laws in general? Asking as an ignorant Yank.

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  • [–] 21 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    We have a lot of laws and legal interpritation, but it isnt written into our constitution like the US.

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  • [–] 21 points 4 months ago

    Australia's constitution has been interpreted by our High Court to contain an implied right to freedom of political communication. Restrictions on that right may be constitutional if they are (1) for a valid purpose and are (2) narrowly targeted towards that purpose.

    The law she was arrested under was only passed by the Queensland state Parliament earlier this week (or late last week? I forget). It is definitely going to face constitutional challenge, and there is a very good chance it is ruled struck down. This is because the law literally outlaws two specific phrases from one side of a political issue, and is likely to be seen as stifling free flow of political discourse, rather than being a more "content-neutral" law.

    This article, written by a constitutional scholar, gives some great insight: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/08/the-lnps-phrase-banning-law-is-wide-open-to-constitutional-attack-is-it-a-victory-for-the-people-or-a-smart-political-play

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  • [–] 8 points 4 months ago

    It's complicated.

    It's not a constitutional right.

    However, there's a lot of case law that supports the rights of citizens to express their thoughts about governments. All levels all processes, with the exception of sedition, treason, national security, et cetera.

    We do have strong defamation laws. There was a case a few years ago where a politician was found to have been "defamed" by another politician with respect to comments that were made.

    We also have recently strengthened hate speech laws, which is the issue in this specific picture.

    Finally spreading information that might compromise national security, and publications showing violence or other offensive content.

    In practice, I expect that the situation is similar to what it was in pre-Trump America. However, it's true that in theory the government could pass a law saying you're not allowed to say anything bad about the government.

    10 years ago any self respecting American would have pointed out how inferior our system is and that we don't have any rights or freedoms. I feel like that imbalance has shifted however.

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    [–] 23 points 4 months ago

    What a fucking legend.

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  • [–] 19 points 4 months ago

    It's absurd. Like the British guy arrested for wearing a "Plasticine Action" tshirt.

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  • [–] 15 points 4 months ago (7 children)

    Anyone know how likely it is for her to be given the max sentence?

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  • [–] 40 points 4 months ago

    The public prosecutor would need to prove the shirt was used to “menace, harassment or offence”. Even a mediocre defence lawyer should be able to have the charges thrown out.

    A good lawyer will take it to the High Court of Australia and get the legislation thrown out.

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    [–] 14 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    This is a John Farnham appreciation shirt! "TWO STRONG HEARTS. We stick together from the River to the Sea! Ruuuning free!" See. All good.

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    [–] 12 points 4 months ago (1 child)

    From Canada to Mexico, Iran will be free?

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  • [–] 9 points 4 months ago

    What about if I wore a South China Sea shirt? Would I get praised or arrested?

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  • [–] 7 points 4 months ago (2 children)

    You know, in the UAE, they have freedom of speech enshrined in their laws, too...

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