Between 300 and 500 people gathered at Taylor Square to protest against an anti-Trans bill, which is being put before NSW Parliament by One Nation’s Mark Latham. The legislation is aimed at outlawing “gender fluidity teaching, course development and teacher training” in NSW schools. Trans activists, LGBTQI communities, mental health experts, lawyers and Greens MPs have labelled the bill as “transphobic”, “obscene” and “ideological”.
Today’s rally went ahead, despite being banned by the Supreme Court, as police endeavoured to again suppress yet another protest - as it did the Black Lives Matter protest in July - citing COVID-19 concerns. The court decision came just a day before the NSW government announced that it would permit 15,000 people to attend a major horse race in Sydney and while 40,000 spectators are due to attend the NRL grand final in a few weeks time.
Within a few minutes of speeches beginning at Taylor Square, police moved in announcing a move-on warning. Protesters immediately flooded down Oxford Street and then through Hyde Park in a game of cat and mouse with riot squad members. Protesters were eventually corralled on Elizabeth Street in the CBD, where several people were dragged away, at least one arrested and several others issued with $1,000 fines for contravening COVID-related health orders.
A petition against the Latham bill has attracted over 80,000 signatures.
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