Ensure Lucy gets justice
Today we have an urgent request.
With protest the word on everyone’s lips right now after a tumultuous week, we need your financial support to win a vital case that could define the future of peaceful protest in New Zealand.
Many of you will remember 32-year-old Lucy Rogers, the young Auckland woman arrested almost two years ago for peacefully counter-protesting a pro-Palestine rally on Queen Street. Asked to move on “for her own safety”, Lucy stood her ground - respectfully, bravely, and most importantly, lawfully - only to be detained.
Lucy seeks accountability from the NZ Police to ensure this sort of overreach and bullying of legal, peaceful protest, never, ever happens again. In the past, we filed to sue the Police, and laid a complaint with Independent Police Conduct Authority.
Incredibly, we've found out that Lucy’s case will not be heard until August next year – that’s nearly a whole year away.
John, we’re sure you’d agree that’s an agonising wait for justice, and a reminder of how, for many accused of speech-related “crimes,” the process is the punishment.
But here’s the thing. You won’t be surprised that this legal battle is not cheap. We face substantial costs now for preparing for trial next year and court fees, and we need your support.
Can we afford for the Police to do this again? Not if we want to continue to live in a democracy.
Lucy Rogers
At the Free Speech Union, we’ve seen this pattern before: long, exhausting legal ordeals used to send a message, not just to the accused, but to all of us, to stay silent…
“I cannot give up, knowing this could happen to others. I want them [the NZ Police] to know that this sort of bullying and intimidation will always be called out.”
– Lucy Rogers
This week we’ve seen what disruptive, violent protest looks like. This is not what we are defending. We are defending the right to peacefully protest. The Police should focus on unlawful actions, not the act of standing on the side of the road holding a sign.
That’s state intimidation, pure and simple. And we’re not going to stand for it.
Many of us were raised, and raised our own children, to be honest, principled, and to speak their truth. Now, someone who has done just that is being punished for it. Lucy could be your sister, or daughter, or best friend… Or even you. When a Kiwi like Lucy becomes tangled up in the system, we all are.
When you donate today, you’re making sure Lucy’s bold stand wasn’t in vain, while safeguarding your own family’s future. In these fights, we are one.
So, let’s continue our fight for Lucy with whole-hearted support. Let’s signal both to those who would silence us, and Lucy herself, that we will not let this precedent stand. This sort of David and Goliath battle can really make a person feel isolated. Show Lucy you stand with her.
Please donate today to help us stand with Lucy and every New Zealander facing state suppression.
Dane Giraud | Free Speech Union Council Member
PS. We finally have a trial date for Lucy Rogers' case and face significant court fees. Let's ensure the right to peaceful protest remains free and put a stop to this 'catch and release' tactic that's being used by our Police. Will you defend Lucy's voice today?
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