People take to streets to protest lockouts

BY JASON MARSHALL
Two thousand people danced from Hyde Park to Taylor Square to protest Sydney’s lockout laws last weekend.

The protest festival, or ‘protestival’ was organised by Reclaim The Streets and featured over 50 DJs across 10 sound systems.

Protest organiser Chris Lego said the lockout laws were introduced during a period of “moral panic”.

“These ill-conceived laws punish the majority of responsible adults while doing little to address the underlying social and cultural problems causing violence,” Mr Lego said.

He said one of the benefits of living in a large city is having the choice to stay out late.

“This government is making decisions for us about the most basic aspects of our lives,” Mr Lego said.

“We want the right to set our own bedtime.”
Reclaim The Streets aims to break the car monoculture and develop a sense of community ownership and use of public space.

The international movement started in London in the 90s, but was on hiatus in Australia until September last year.

In the past year, Reclaim The Streets has energised the anti-WestConnex tollway campaign, with two successful protests drawing thousands into the streets of Newtown and St Peters.

Mr Lego said attention had shifted to the lockout laws because they are emblematic of the tight control of every day public spaces and “warped priorities” of the state government.

The protest’s event page featured a list of 99 other things to dance for, of which better public transportation, cycleways and pedestrian movement, as well the free use of parks, featured heavily.

Reclaim The Streets spokesperson Amanda Sordes said the festival both criticised the restrictions on liscenced venues and introduced people to the idea of a party in other freer places.

“We showed that thousands of people can have a great time in public without incident,” Ms Sordes said.

“The massive turnout clearly shows that Sydneysiders have not been lulled to sleep by the lockout laws quite yet!”

Henry Davies, from Wolli Creek, said he was inspired by the large numbers getting into the spirit of the festival.

“It’s amazing seeing so many people come together in protest and celebration of community and fun,” Mr Davies said.

“Hopefully people notice there was no violence and the mood was of excitement and revelry.”

Matt Mario, one of the organisers of the Deeper Than House stage, said the protest was really fun and engaging.

However, President of the Potts Point and Kings Cross Heritage Conservation Society said that there were less than the 1000s reported as part of the protest.

“This little group of unwashed hippies confirmed there is actually a groundswell of community support for life-saving lockout laws,” Mr Woodhouse said.

“This selfish rally was offensive to those who have been killed on the streets of Kings Cross by alcohol-related violence and shows complete contempt for the government’s initiative which has resulted in a staggering 60% decrease in alcohol-related crime.”

“Claims all the violence has shifted elsewhere are a nonsense on stilts and are not substantiated by any crime data,” Woodhouse said.