Defending Democratic Rights

“There are very few places left in Sydney where anyone could protest if these laws are allowed to stand. Hyde Park, Town Hall, right here outside the supreme court – all are near places of worship, are near churches, and therefore the police could have powers to ban protests that happen in those locations,” says Josh Lees, from the @Palestine Action Group, Sydney.                                                 

AS THE Government of New South Wales attacks democratic rights, it is important to look at how the Queensland ban on political marches was challenged and finally overcome. The New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has ejected the CFMEU from the Labor Party in his state.

The NSW government has restricted protests near places of worship, imposing a maximum penalty of two years in prison.

The following questions were put to me about street marches by Sydney historian Tim Briedis. Ian Curr, editor, 18 March 2025.

1. Can you introduce yourself and tell us how you got involved in the Right to March movement?

‘Right to March’ Movement 1977-1979


2. Can you give us the political context of Queensland in 1977?

A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum


3. Can you go over the early days of the campaign and what the rallies were like, and some of the political debates?

1967/1977 street marches in Queensland — reasons for revolt?


4. What was the role of students and youth in the campaign?

Ban Bjelke


5. How did you reach out to unions and anti uranium mining campaigners and build alliances?

Being organised


6. Do you remember the day of October 22, when there was a mass arrest of over 400 people?


7. Do you remember any other memorable moments in the campaign? Did you get arrested? What was jail like if so?

Street Marches 1967-1977


8. In the later days of the campaign, what were the main developments?

The longest period of mass defiance in our history


9. Why do you think the campaign was successful, and what was its significance?

Election Day 12 November 1977. 10% swing against the government. On the eve of the election, 297 people were arrested in defence of Democratic Rights. The people circled are undercover police awaiting to arrest anyone who spoke out against the government. The demonstration took place in King George Square in Brisbane CBD and we renamed the square Fred Patterson Square in memory of the only communist ever elected to a Parliament in Australia.
Historic film: If U Don’t Fight U Lose


10. Anything else you’d like to add?

Lost film of the street marches

One thought on “Defending Democratic Rights”

  1. Journalist Wendy Bacon on the Minns govt’s appalling anti-protest legislation at today’s protest outside the NSW Parliament.
    She explains how Israeli provocateur Ofir Birenbaum and his wife Sophie Calland are both ALP members and working in tandem with Advance to try to discredit the Greens and pro Palestine activists.
    https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DgyzstSgt/

    Reply

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