Two sides – The Right And If You’re Left, You’re A Pest

This morning “The Herald-Sun” continued its campaign against any form of protest with its front page devoted to calling the Occupy Melbourne movement “Selfish Pests”, while Andrew Bolt suggests that the students on Q & A were “thugs” destroying free speech by exercising their own. Ah where were they when the Convoy of No Consequence was attempting to deliberately trying to shut down Canberra? (I know, who’d notice, eh?)

Their front page story was an “Exclusive” obtained under Freedom of Information. Mm, Perhaps, they’re right and only the Murdoch Media can access things under FOI legislation. (I won’t mention any access to Andrew Wilkie and Andrew Bolt at this point.)

So one of the people named in the article has sent this to those champions of free speech:

“Here is the statement that I sent to the press in response to today’s article:

The savage reaction to the occupy movement demonstrated the severe restrictions on protesting in Victoria.

I will be appealing the decision to a higher court, because in light of current legislative backtracking such as the amendments to the summary offences act, it has become obvious that it is necessary for us to safeguard our protected right to free speech.

Every Australian has the right to try to uphold their rights in court and these exorbitant legal bills highlight just how inaccessible the legal system is for the majority of ordinary Australians.

The Occupy Movement was about the inherent inequality of the global economic system and this million dollar debt perfectly demonstrates how human rights are only available to people who can afford them.

In perspective, the Melbourne City Council spends significantly more money on Christmas decorations each year, then it spent on the entire Occupy court case.”

Sara Kerrison.