Four pro-Palestine supporters who scaled the roof of Parliament House have pleaded guilty to trespassing during an unlawful protest the Prime Minister said "undermines our democracy". Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading $ 0 / $ NaN /year All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue Anthony Brinton, Will Hugh Thomas Egan-Griffiths, Barry Herbert Jessup, and Thea Turnball faced the ACT Magistrates Court via audio-visual link on Monday.
All four protesters pleaded guilty to trespassing on Commonwealth premises, namely Australian Parliament House, without a reasonable excuse. In July, the pro-Palestine supporters were arrested after scaling the roof of Parliament House and unfurling banners protesting Israel's military operation. Some of the banners read "from the river to the sea Palestine will be free" and "no peace on stolen land, genocide since 1788".
During the protest, the four people could be heard chanting from the forecourt and could be seen launching paper planes from the building, emblazoned with messages about Julian Assange and war crimes. They were heard chanting, "we're calling to end to Australia's complicity in war crimes" and "the whole damn government - blood on your hands". The protesters have been banned from the building for two years.
On Monday, Brinton told the court: "I'll be pleading guilty but with reasonable excuse." Magistrate Ian Temby responded "you can't do that" and said the reasons behind the protest could be addressed during sentencing. "Understood, apologies for that," Brinton said from what appeared to be a garage.
An AFP officer stands in front of Parliament House where protesters scaled the roof to unfurl banners in July. Picture by Brittney Levinson Last month, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the actions of the protesters, telling Parliament: "Those responsible should feel the full force of the law. "Peaceful protest has an important place in our society, but this was not a peaceful protest.
These actions have done absolutely nothing to advance any cause, indeed they have hurt the cause that those engaged in this reckless activity believe they are advancing." Mr Albanese said Parliament House was "symbolic of who we are as a people and indeed was designed so that the representatives are below where the people can go". "This is a seat of our democracy, not just an institution made up of walls and the beautiful architecture that we have here," he said.
"We don't want any unnecessary restrictions. Of course, people should be able to come and watch their parliament function in real time - but [today's actions] undermines our democracy." All four offenders are set to be sentenced in September.
Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy HN Hannah Neale Reporter Hannah is a reporter with The Canberra Times. She is currently covering ACT courts. Hannah started as a journalist with The Southern Highland News and The Goulburn Post before moving to the ACT.
Hannah is a reporter with The Canberra Times. She is currently covering ACT courts. Hannah started as a journalist with The Southern Highland News and The Goulburn Post before moving to the ACT.
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