Photos and video from Rally for Your Rights

Rally opposes new police powers

PERTH — On April 20, 200 angry protesters at a rally shouted down state police minister Rob Johnson, as he attempted to justify the anti-democratic “stop-and-search” laws. The proposed legislation allows police to conduct intrusive body searches without suspicion of a crime.

The laws would also allow the minister to declare areas in which police have the power to arbitrarily stop and search people without reasonable grounds for suspicion.

The crowd was also addressed by Greens MLC Giz Watson, Labor opposition police spokesperson Margaret Quirk and Dr David Indermaur from the Crime Research Centre.

Quirk repeatedly commented that the proposed legislation is not ``targetted'' enough, or ``too broad'', while Watson and Indermaur clearly called for the legislation to be scrapped altogether. The latter speakers got a warmer reception.

The rally was organised by Search For Your Rights. Another action is planned in Northbridge in August.

Ben Peterson

Video of David Indermaur speaking:

This video can also be watched on YouTube.

Photos from the rally: