this post was submitted on 11 Feb 2026
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Unpopular opinion but I agree. The protests are not protests but disruption of ordinary people's lives for free.
It is one thing to get your opinion expressed freely, it's another to block half a city because you think you have the right to express freely.
People do actually suffer consequence because they miss court dates, interviews, appointments, etc. They don't matter?
Our right to protest is a key tool in our political power toolset. Gathering to show support or discontent for an issue, and disrupting ‘business as usual’ is the whole bloody point - it applies pressure and creates visibility.
The government can’t tell us not to protest. Full stop. Our democracy in Australia is already cooked enough - let’s not let it slide.
If our ability to have ‘legal’ protests is taken - we have to protest anyway.
Just fyi - protests that make life difficult for regular people just trying to go about their day, even those who agree with the protesters, end up doing more harm than good for the cause of the protesters. It turns people against them and their cause.
Newsflash - the government isn’t harmed by Joe and Jane Smith being stuck in traffic in 40 degree heat for an hour, making them late for work or to pick up their kids. Joe and Jane smith are, and they don’t blame the government for it - they blame the protesters and by association the thing being protested.
Now I don’t think protests like that should be banned - but if you’re blocking a road I don’t think someone trying to drive on said road should get in trouble when you don’t move out of the way.