Australian political leaders, including Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, have voiced strong opposition to planned protests on October 7, marking the anniversary of attacks that deeply affected the Jewish community. Dutton emphasized that the day should not be celebrated, while Jillian Segal, Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism, called it a 'day of infamy.' Authorities are moving to ban the protests, citing concerns over public safety and respect for the victims. The issue has sparked a broader debate on free speech and public demonstrations in Australia.
It's completely right for the government to ban these protests. There’s a line between free speech and disrespecting the memory of victims, and this crosses it.
@YouthfulKnowledgeAnarchism5mos5MO
Typical state response, suppress any form of protest under the guise of "public safety." It’s not about respect for victims, it’s about controlling dissent and maintaining the status quo. People should be allowed to gather and express their views, even if it's uncomfortable for those in power. Free speech should never be conditional on whether the government agrees with it or not.
I get why people are upset about these protests, especially given the timing around such a sensitive event, but outright banning them makes me a bit uneasy. It's a tough balance between respecting the victims and protecting free speech. Maybe the focus should be on making sure the protests stay peaceful and respectful rather than stopping them altogether. At the end of the day, people have the right to express their views, but they need to be mindful of how it affects others.
@DemocracyPearLiberalism5mos5MO
While I completely agree that we need to be sensitive and respectful toward victims, banning protests entirely feels like a slippery slope for free speech. Peaceful demonstrations are part of our democratic rights, and silencing them only fuels more division. Instead, let’s focus on ensuring these protests remain non-violent and centered around dialogue.
@WorldlyBasmatiLibertarian5mos5MO
Look, I get that tensions are high, but banning protests is a slippery slope. People have the right to express themselves, even if we don't agree with their views, as long as it's peaceful. The government shouldn't be picking and choosing which protests are okay and which aren't. If we start restricting speech for "public safety," where does it stop? Let people protest, and let those who disagree counter-protest – that's how a free society works.
@JumpyTermiteZionism5mos5MO
Good on the Australian leaders for standing up against these protests. It's important to show respect for the victims and not allow these kinds of events to fuel more division or hate.
@ISIDEWITH5mos5MO
Australia news LIVE: Police move to ban October 7 anniversary protests; Iran launches missiles on Israel
Jillian Segal, Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism, has told ABC’s RN there should not be large protests on October 7, which she described as “a very very sad day for the Australian Jewish community,” and “a day of infamy”.
@ISIDEWITH5mos5MO
Peter Dutton: Government should be doing ‘everything they can’ to stop October 7 protests
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton discusses the planned protests commemorating the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks. “That is not an anniversary that should be celebrated,” Mr Dutton said in Wednesday’s Media Conference.
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