By Michael Perry
IT Business Net
July 14, 2008
http://security.itbusinessnet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=453047
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Anti-protest laws imposed for Pope Benedict's visit to Sydney this week, which could see protesters arrested for annoying Catholic pilgrims, were unconstitutional, a court ruled on Tuesday. Under the laws, protesters could be arrested or fined A$5,500 (US$5,340) for wearing anti-Catholic T-shirts or for handing
 |
| World Youth Day pilgrims in Sydney wave flags at the beginning of the opening mass July 15, 2008. Photo by Tim Wimborne |
out condoms in protest at church doctrine on sex and marriage. Civil liberties leaders said the laws stifled freedom of speech and were open to abuse by police who were mounting an Olympic-style security operation for the papal visit. The Federal Court in Sydney ruled on Tuesday that the law relating to annoying and inconveniencing pilgrims went beyond the intention of the local state parliament. "We now have a lot more confidence to take to the streets to condemn Pope Benedict's policies against condom use, against contraception, against homosexuality," Rachel Evans from the "No Pope" group which challenged the laws. "We are glad the court has ruled that we do have the freedom of expression to communicate our political views on Saturday."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.