EXTRAORDINARY new powers will allow police to arrest and fine people for "causing annoyance" to World Youth Day participants and permit partial strip searches at hundreds of Sydney sites, beginning today.
The laws, which operate until the end of July, have the potential to make a crime of things such as wearing a T-shirt with a message on it, handing out condoms at protests, riding a skateboard or even playing music, critics say.
Police and emergency services volunteers will be able to direct people to cease engaging in conduct that "causes annoyance or inconvenience to participants in a World Youth Day event" or risk a $5500 fine.
"Extraordinary" is right. Extraordinarily WEAK.
When we sent through our list of demands for the Pope's visit, not only did we ask that you make Australian taxpayers pay for it (ta for that), but we made a few entirely reasonable other requests, including:
- A range of ludicrously over-the-top limitations to free speech, free assembly and other basic democratic rights in the State of NSW for the duration of the visit so that His Holiness isn't exposed to anything that may prompt him to question his farcically out-of-touch and in many cases downright inhuman views on certain issues;
- Re-establishment of the Inquisition to weed out unbelievers (who almost certainly won't expect it);
- Stonings and burnings for witches, gays, and people who weigh the same as a duck.
Unfortunately, we only got what we wanted on the first. It is a measure of His Holiness' great affection for the people of Australia that, despite your lack of faith and respect for the Church, he is still coming.
But you've made Jesus cry.
