Pro-Palestine activists and supporters of civil liberties rallied at Melbourne's Magistrates Court on May 1 to .
On July 1, 2011, the Victorian police attacked a peaceful pro-Palestine demonstration in Melbourne鈥檚 CBD. In one of the largest political arrests in a decade, 19 activists were arrested during a boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) action against Israeli-owned Max Brenner store.
The chocolate chain is owned by the Israeli conglomerate 鈥楽trauss group鈥; a company that provides 鈥渃are rations鈥 for the Israeli military, including the Golani and the Givati brigades 鈥 two of the key Israeli military brigades involved in Israel鈥檚 brutal assault on Gaza in December 2008/January 2009, which killed more than 1300 Palestinians.
Speakers argued that the arrestees will be put on trial for their political activity. In a precedent setting case 鈥 these pro-Palestine activists will be fighting a variety of charges designed to criminalise dissent in Baillieu's Victoria.
In charging activists with trespass the Victorian police and the Ballieu government are attempting to criminalise the right to protest against corporations.
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