HELEN O’Sullivan, humanitarian, grandmother and Gaza flotilla survivor, was arrested this morning at a rally outside Brisbane Magistrates Court. She is now the 31st person charged for publicly voicing a pro-Palestine phrase that the Crisafulli government has banned. The phrase in question is a call for the freedom of a people under illegal occupation.
This morning’s arrest took place as supporters gathered outside Brisbane Magistrates Court, where 28 people were appearing after being charged previously for uttering or displaying the same expression. The rally was an act of solidarity with those facing court, and it was there that Helen O’Sullivan was taken into custody.
Helen O’Sullivan is a participant in the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s humanitarian mission. Helen was aboard a vessel seized by Israeli forces in international waters just weeks ago. During this time Helen was incarcerated and abused by Israeli Forces.
Queensland is the first State in Australia to outlaw the phrase under legislation passed by the LNP government of David Crisafulli on 5 March 2026. The law criminalises the public distribution, publication, display or recitation of the expression in a way that could cause “menace, harassment or offence”- even to a hypothetical member of the public and carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment. That the law casts such a wide net should alarm every Australian. NSW considered a comparable ban and concluded it was legally and constitutionally unfeasible. Justice for Palestine Magandjin spokesperson Remah Naji has stated a constitutional challenge is “certainly on the table”.
We call on the Queensland government to drop all charges and cease the use of the law as a weapon against peaceful political expression. We call on all Australians who value civil liberties to stand with those facing court and those who stand with Palestine.
Photos of Helen available:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OB2mj1YH8lh9opzLjS2if7ZIrXjEOKB6?usp=drive_link
Video of arrest: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1up_lQpBLmRLwXcHfZOZqm0_-a0UJs1rX/view?usp=drivesdk
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE
These laws are an attack on our rights and an attempt to intimidate us for speaking up for Palestine. Helen has shown that we won't be intimidated and we will keep the fight going. - Sam Woripa Watson.
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