Published
Mon, Jan 23, 2017, 09:35
- The protest march will be held on February 18th after last week's rally was prohibited by the NSW Supreme Court.
Keep Sydney Open has announced an anti-lockouts rally for February 18th at a TBA location.
The news follows a dramatic week for lockouts and NSW politics. After two large-scale protest marches in 2016, Keep Sydney Open—the organisation against the State Government's suite of harsh licensing restrictions known as the lockout laws—planned a third demonstration for January 21st at Kings Cross, one of Sydney's key clubbing districts. Two days before the event, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione requested a Supreme Court order to prohibit the rally from going ahead due to safety concerns—the request was heard and approved on Friday.
Keep Sydney Open campaign manager Tyson Koh responded to the last-minute cancellation: "I think this really strikes to the root of why Keep Sydney Open exists and why people are really angry about the lockout laws. Not only can you not enjoy a night out at the weekend, but you also can't have a peaceful protest when you choose to as well." A statement released by the organisation said the February rally would be "bigger, louder and stronger than the one originally scheduled."
Last week also saw the shock resignation of NSW Premier Mike Baird. Citing family reasons for the decision, Baird will make way for the former NSW Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian, who will be sworn in this week. Speaking to Fairfax Media, Berejiklian indicated she would be focusing on some of the Liberal government's most polarising policies as part of a "reset" for the party. It's unclear whether or not lockout laws fall under that umbrella, however Keep Sydney Open have noted that "with a new premier coming into power we need to send a message that this issue is not going anywhere."