It's official - I'll be taking part in a High Court challenge against the Queensland Government.
Over the coming months, I'll be one of several plaintiffs involved in a constitutional challenge to Qld's laws restricting political expression and Palestine solidarity activism, alongside an incredible group of organisers, advocates, fellow plaintiffs and lawyers who have dedicated an enormous amount of time and energy to this fight.
At its heart, this challenge is about defending our ability to speak out for Palestine - to push back against attempts to suppress dissent, chill political expression and intimidate people who are advocating for Palestinian human rights and an end to the ongoing devastation in Gaza.
Many of you know that I've already been contacted by police over my artwork and advocacy. No one should have to wonder whether a slogan, a poster, a social media post or an act of peaceful protest could result in police attention simply because they are expressing solidarity with Palestine.
This case is about much more than a handful of activists - it's about whether governments can restrict political communication on matters of profound public importance. If our ability to advocate for Palestine can be diminished today, that should concern everyone who values democratic freedoms tomorrow.
The challenge is being coordinated by Justice for Palestine Magan-djin and led by an exceptional legal team at Marque. Honoured to stand alongside everyone involved and grateful for the enormous amount of work that has already gone into bringing this challenge forward.
Legal action of this scale is expensive, and fundraising efforts are already underway to help support the plaintiffs and the challenge ahead. One of those is the River to the Sea Fun Run here in Brisbane on Saturday 6 June (also nation-wide), which many of you will have seen me promoting recently.
Palestinians deserve justice. Aussies deserve the freedom to advocate for that justice without fear. We're not going anywhere.
Details for the Fun Run this weekend: https://chuffed.org/project/181103-fun-run-river-to-the-sea
Legal Defence Fundraiser: https://chuffed.org/project/173177-justice-for-palestine-legal-defence Free Palestine.
