NSW Labor Premier Chris Minns’ plans to ban the pro-Palestine phrase “globalise the intifada” appears to have stalled due to government concern over whether the attack on free speech would survive a constitutional challenge. It is still legal to use the phrase in NSW.
Legislation to ban it has still not been introduced to NSW parliament, which does not sit again until 5 May, despite claims in January it was “urgent”.
NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley admits that the NSW government is watching the recent Queensland laws that ban the slogans “Globalise the Intifada” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.
One Queensland activist has already been charged for saying “From the river to the sea” at a pro-Palestine rally in March. A weekend of action against the ban was set to take place as we went to press.
Another pro-Palestine artist was told by police to remove products from his website that use the phrase. A mural in Brisbane with the words “river to the sea” and an image of John Farnham, referencing his 1988 song Two Strong Hearts, was painted over by a vandal, before “river to the sea” was quickly graffitied back onto the mural the next day.
Queensland Labor voted against the Liberals’ legislation that banned the phrase, arguing they “believe in the freedom of speech”. The same is not true of Minns.
University administrations are also continuing to crackdown on protest and free speech.
Sydney University threatened to defund the student union over a proposed $500 donation to Gaza Flotilla participant and USyd student Ethan Floyd.
An RMIT student who accused their university of being complicit in genocide in a social media post was investigated by RMIT for potential misconduct allegations before the case was later dropped.
All attempts to silence solidarity with Palestine through government legislation or disciplinary action by universities need to be resisted. By collectively breaking bad laws and defending those who are charged the movement can beat back repression.
By Luke Ottavi
