Queensland Police Arrest 20 Protesters Over Banned Phrases in Brisbane
Queensland police arrested 20 individuals following a protest in Brisbane on Saturday, where demonstrators chanted phrases recently prohibited by state legislation. The protest, which drew approximately 300 participants to central Brisbane, directly challenged the government's ban on two expressions associated with the pro-Palestine movement: "globalise the intifada" and "from the river to the sea."
Charges and Police Response
Officers issued 14 charges for displaying a prohibited expression and seven charges for reciting a prohibited expression during the demonstration. Despite the arrests, Queensland police acknowledged that the protesters were overall peaceful in their conduct. The new laws, enacted in February, stipulate that individuals who recite or display these terms could face up to two years in jail, a penalty that did not deter the crowd from vocalizing them in front of law enforcement.
Context of the Banned Phrases
The phrase "globalise the intifada" has historical roots as a call to increase pressure on Israel to prioritize human rights, with "intifada" referring to uprisings in Palestine in 1987 and the 2000s. It has gained prominence as Israel's military actions have intensified. Conservative Jewish groups argue that these phrases are antisemitic, while others contend that such criticism conflates opposition to Israeli policies with hatred of Jews.
Previous Incidents and Legal Challenges
This protest follows a similar event on Friday, where pro-Palestine demonstrators organized a John Farnham flashmob to test the laws. Participants donned blond wigs and 80s regalia to sing the 1988 classic "Two Strong Hearts," which includes the lyrics "reaching out forever like a river to the sea." No arrests were made during that gathering. Deb Cleland, who choreographed the dance, stated, "Politicians and police have been bullying artists and activists for simply displaying the lyrics of this classic Australian song, and we let them know tonight that we won't stand for it."
Broader Implications and State Responses
The Queensland government's ban has faced criticism from civil liberties experts, who raise concerns about free speech. Previous arrests under this legislation include Liam Parry, who was arrested in March for reciting the "river to the sea" chant, and 18-year-old Bonnie Carter, charged after wearing a shirt with the phrase printed on it. Following the Bondi beach shooting in mid-December, where two gunmen opened fire on a Hanukah event, killing 15 people, New South Wales has also announced plans to ban "globalise the intifada." NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed on Thursday that his government is pursuing similar legislation, stating, "We can see how it operates in Queensland, but in many respects I think that hateful phrase has been exposed as exactly what it is."
