New South Wales Police has initiated a case in the Supreme Court against the organisers of a protest linked to anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists and sovereign citizens that involves plans for a march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Note the terminology of legacy media trying to demonise anti-vaxxers and sovereign citizens which the ABC, Murdoch and Fairfax mob cannot understand their slanders are meaningless.
There are no more valid conspiracy theories left because they have all turned out to be true.
An urgent hearing has been scheduled for Monday afternoon, with the organisers given the weekend to gather material or evidence they will rely on.
The event has been put together by an umbrella group known as Australia Unites Against Government Corruption.
Paperwork has been lodged with NSW Police — known as a Form 1 — which serves as a notification to authorities of a planned public assembly.
The Supreme Court today heard that notice was served on August 27, and an invitation from police to confer on the plans was set down for Friday.
But the matter then landed before duty judge Justice Peter Garling, who observed that the parties needed “an urgent hearing” because authorities may need “the maximum time possible” to prepare if the event ends up going ahead as an authorised assembly.
In a statement, NSW Police confirmed the force was seeking an order prohibiting a public assembly over the harbour bridge on September 13.
“The NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly; however, the first priority for NSW Police is always the safety of the wider community,” the statement said.
“As the matter will be before the court, the NSW Police Force won’t be making further comment at this stage.”
Case set for Monday
If lawyers representing NSW Police persuade a judge to make a prohibition order over the event, it would not ban people from participating, but participants would not receive protection against being charged with certain offences, like blocking roads.
Justice Garling was told the hearing may conclude on Monday depending on the amount of cross-examination involved.
While no party appeared in court on behalf of the respondents, the judge told a barrister representing NSW Police that if the case starts on Monday it will “continue until it’s finished”.
“It may be that the court’s ordinary sitting hours need to be adjusted, to take into account the nature of the matter,” Justice Garling said.
“The parties ought be prepared for some flexibility about the way in which this matter will be heard.”
Justice Garling said he expected that if either party files any affidavit, its author should be available to be cross-examined.
