Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
The Presiding Officers of Tasmania’s Parliament have regrettably decided to allow an anti-transgender hate group to rally on Parliament’s lawns tomorrow.
Earlier today, the Greens wrote to the Speaker of the House and President of the Legislative Council asking them to revoke the Let Women Speak group’s permission to meet on the lawns in light of disgusting scenes of Nazis marching in support of them in Melbourne on Saturday.
This group stood shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity with Nazis in Melbourne. They share an ideology of demonising a minority – transgender people.
Let Women Speak is a hate group. They’re fake feminists who play footsies with Nazis.
Given the shocking display in Melbourne, and the potential for tomorrow’s planned gathering to attract far-Right extremists, we respectfully requested the Presiding Officers of the Parliament revoke their permission for this event to go ahead. To no avail.
While free speech and freedom to protest are fundamental democratic rights, these rights are not unbounded – as shown by Tasmania’s Anti-Discrimination Act. We must not be afraid of acting to prevent the magnification and spread of far-Right extremism.
Fascism is on the rise and it demands an unequivocal, firm response from all levels of government and society. Tasmanians should not kid ourselves – we are not immune from this dangerous ideology.
Parliament’s lawns are a place of peace, inclusion and democracy. They are no place for Nazis. The risk of harm caused by this planned event is significant.
The hateful, dangerous ideology of these groups must be absolutely, unequivocally rejected in a civilized society.
There can be no place in Tasmania for Nazis, or those who encourage them.
The Tasmanian Greens stand in solidarity, always, with transgender people and we will ceaselessly fight for their rights to inclusion and equality.