Occupy Melbourne turning into important test case for freedom of speech and assembly as harrassment continues

The Occupy Melbourne Movement is turing into a vital test case for free speech as the Melbourne City Council abuses its bylaws to harrass protestors. This Notice to comply was served on protestors in the Treasury Gardens on November the 4th. Its claims that protest signs are advertising without a permit and that people are breaking the by-law against camping in a public place. People are currently discussing what to do about the notice.
Related: Mike Stuchberry: Bullsh*t -- Occupy Melbouren currently resisting Council Order

On Wednesday Nov 2nd, Occupy Melbourne moved back to the Treasury Gardens. For two nights pepole have camped out without structures, unlike in the City Square. The council notice prohibits camping in "a tent, vehicle, caravan or any other type of temporary or provisional accomodation". Presumably they are taking issue with the tarps and sleeping bags people have used!

The council is also objecting the use of banners in the park. This is the second time the Melbourne City Council has used this by-law to suppress freedom of speech when a group of pro-choice protestors were threatened with a fine for having a banner in a public place. See How defending abortion rights becomes a free speech battle. As someone pointed out on the OM Facebook page "If political material constitutes advertising material, does that mean it's now an offence to have a political protest with any kind of signage on public land without first obtaining a permit?"

The Occupy Melbourne movement is part of a global movement to create public spaces where opposition to corporate greed and power can be discussed and acted upon. The State is desparate to stop this occuring which explains the crackdowns across Australia and the U.S.

We need to stand strong and defend our right to assembly and demonstrate to the point of arrest if necessary. If were arrested, I personally think it is unlikely that charges will follow. This is based on the experiences in Melbourne during the eviction from the City Square where around 100 people were arrested but not charged. In Brisbane yesterday 11 people people were arrested but not charged. In Sydney 40 people were arrested but not charged but they did received infringement notices. I was personally moved on by police from the State Libary on Saturday night and received no fine or charge. If people do face fines, then these can be legally challenged later or we can fundraise as a movement to pay them. Every great movement for change has faced this kind of harassment and we should not be surprised the Occupy Movement is being tested in this way.

Of course we are all scared of police violence but the right to continue this movement to oppose corporate rule and greed is too important. Lets stand together in solidarity with each other and show we are not intimidated by this petty harassment.

See you in the Treasury Gardens. People should make their personal decision on whether to comply with the unreasonable implementation of the law or come down to the Treasury Gardens and be creative in your dissent. Have an all night picnic! Where a sign on your clothes or as stated bugger it all and do whatever you want and expose thes undemocratic pricks! The most important thing though is to be there! At this stage of the movement its not hard to take a stand against the system - you just have to turn up!

by Davey Heller