Police have made 20 arrests after moving in on a pro-Palestine rally in Brisbane where about 300 people were heard chanting “from the river to the sea”, in the first major test of Queensland’s new hate speech laws.
The demonstration was held at Emma Miller Pl in Roma St on Saturday afternoon, where protesters gathered to oppose legislation passed by parliament on March 5, which strengthened penalties for breaches of gun laws and made two slogans, “from the river to the sea” and “globalise the intifada”, illegal when used in certain contexts.
As the rally escalated, protesters defiantly chanted “from the river to the sea” and some displayed the phrase on placards, prompting a police response.
Officers moved in to make arrests at the scene, before some protesters relocated to the Brisbane watch-house, where further arrests were made outside the building.
Queensland Police confirmed a total of 20 people were taken into custody.
In total, police laid 14 charges of display prohibited expression and seven charges of recite prohibited expression.
The arrests come as authorities continue to enforce the new laws, which have already seen earlier charges laid since coming into effect last month.
Liam Parry, 33, became the first person charged under the legislation following a protest outside Queensland Parliament House on March 11.
Mr Parry is facing one count of reciting or publicly displaying a prohibited expression that is reasonably expected to menace, harass or offend a member of the public.
Police said enforcement operations are ongoing as they respond to protests across Brisbane and other parts of Queensland.
