WYD chief denies church seeks to expand police powers, limit protests

Published: 2008-07-02

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- The chief organizer of World Youth Day in Sydney has denied media reports that the church had asked the New South Wales government to expand police powers in order to limit protesters during World Youth Day. "The church has not intervened," Danny Casey, chief operating officer of World Youth Day 2008, told a media briefing at St. Benedict Church in Sydney July 2. Casey refuted the claim of one newspaper that recently adopted police regulations came at the insistence of Cardinal George Pell of Sydney and were aimed at muzzling protesters. "The church believes in free speech," Casey said. "The church did not ask for any special powers to be given to police. Our concern has always been the efficient running of this event; these are normal powers and people are free to protest." Casey said the legislation, which allows police to arrest people for "causing annoyance and inconvenience," covers streets, train stations and public areas used as World Youth Day venues July 15-20. This type of legislation "has been used on many, many occasions," he said.

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