Protesters launch high court challenge to Queensland ban on ‘from the river to the sea’
Pro-Palestine protesters in Queensland have filed a High Court challenge against state laws that criminalize the use of slogans like 'from the river to the sea'. The lawsuit argues the ban is an unconstitutional restriction on free speech and unfairly targets political expression.
Why it matters
This case tests the limits of free speech and political protest laws in Australia, specifically regarding controversial geopolitical slogans.
1:18 The moment pro-Palestine protester and high court applicant Stephen Heydt was arrested – video Queensland Protesters launch high court challenge to Queensland ban on ‘from the river to the sea’ Exclusive: Lawsuit filed on behalf of seven protesters alleges ban amounts to ‘a direct, content-based restriction’ on speech, effectively targeting pro-Palestine movement
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Prefer the Guardian on Google A group of pro-Palestine protesters have launched a high court challenge to a Queensland law banning the slogan “from the river to the sea”, arguing that it amounts to a discriminatory and unconstitutional infringement on free speech.
The controversial laws, which also ban the expression “globalise the intifada”, were passed by the state’s Liberal National party government in response to December’s Bondi terrorist attack.
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