19 pro-Palestine activists were arrested on July 1st last year for protesting outside the pro-Israeli military shop Max Brenner. They were charged with the ludicrous crime of 'trespass in a public place' and an antiquated anti picketing law, 'besetting'.
The case against them went for a month, and cost the Victorian state thousands of dollars in court time.
The case is an important one, not just for pro-Palestine activists, but raises issues about public control of public space and the impunity with which Ted Baillieu's police force is able to act.
The judgement of this trial will be handed down on Monday 23rd July at the Melbourne Magistrates Court at 9am.
We invite all those interested in defending civil liberties to join the defendants, the lawyers and activists either for
a) the final verdict at 9am
b) followed by a rally and media conference on the court steps