Protesters launch high court challenge to Queensland ban on ‘from the river to the sea’
Summary
A group of pro-Palestine protesters in Queensland, Australia, have challenged a state law that bans the slogans “from the river to the sea” and “globalise the intifada.” They argue the law restricts free speech and unfairly targets political expression related to the pro-Palestine movement.Key Facts
- Queensland passed laws banning two slogans linked to pro-Palestine protests after a 2023 terrorist attack in Bondi.
- The laws make saying, showing, or sharing these slogans punishable by up to two years in jail if they might cause someone to feel threatened or offended.
- More than 30 people have been arrested under these laws since they started in March 2024.
- The protesters say the law violates free speech rights by targeting specific political ideas.
- The Queensland government says the banned phrases are antisemitic and linked to hate.
- The court challenge was filed by seven protesters, some of whom have been arrested multiple times and detained by police.
- The protesters claim the banned phrases have many meanings and are not inherently hateful or violent.
- The law allows exceptions for use of the phrases in art, religion, education, or legitimate public debate.
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