Another Victory for Free Speech in the Northern Territory

For immediate release The 8th of August 2003 will be remembered as a day that the Darwin Magistrate’s Court defended our right to freedom of speech in the Northern Territory, well not really.

Nicolette Burrows and Ema Corro were found NOT guilty of trespassing and criminal damage after a hearing that has dragged on since late 2002. Last year the pair climbed aloft the roof of a building at the end of the Stuart Highway in Darwin and painted the words “drug premises” on the 10m by 8m billboard atop the building.

Caught in the act by police, they were escorted from the building with the assistance of the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service. They were later charged with trespassing and criminal damage.

The painting was timed to coincide with the enactment of the Territories new “drug house” laws. These laws commenced on the 1st of August 2002 and allow police to signpost a house as a “drug premises” and raid it without a warrant, whenever they please.

After hours of monotonous statements from police witnesses and a member of the business community, the swift and decisive action of the Burrows/Corro legal team, brought the ordeal to an end. They did have on their side the usually inept prosecution who failed to bring a key witness to court; the owner of the building.

So, with no evidence that they didn’t have permission to be there, and that they didn’t have permission to paint the sign, it was “no case to answer” on the criminal damage and NOT guilty for the trespassing.

NAP activist Nicolette Burrows said “Just another example of why you should never plead guilty in our corrupt, inhumane and unjust legal system. Its like lotto, and with an inept prosecution, the odds are in your favour.”

NAP activists and other civil liberties activists in the NT are still facing imprisonment for a peaceful entry into the NT Legislative Assembly last year. The matter is on appeal.

Other court cases are still pending, including a case of “business invasion” for a peaceful sit-in at the electorate office of the NT Chief Minister. This matter has been set down for trial by Judge and jury early next year.

For more info about the campaign for drug law reform in the NT see www.napnt.org

And don’t miss the 2nd Darwin International Syringe Festival in September!