Australians have been warned they face hefty fines if they annoy the crowds gathering to see the Pope during his visit later this month, under new regulations that critics say represent a blow to free speech.
Areas around Sydney’s landmark opera house, train stations and city parks are being set aside for the World Youth Day festival, a six-day Catholic evangelical event in July at which the Pope will conduct mass and lead prayer meetings.
Police and emergency services will have the power to order people to cease behaviour that “causes annoyance or inconvenience to participants in a World Youth Day event” under the regulations. Anyone who fails to comply could be fined A$5,500 (£2,630).
Do you reckon it works both ways? Could some one file a complaint about the noise the event will create or the lies it will perpetuate? Do you think the police will have to arrest someone for the inconvenience caused to passersby for disruption to travel services or not being able not being able to use the parks or visit the opera house?
Will they bugger.
Update 15-07-08: They get the go ahead to annoy the old bastard
Leave a Reply