As soon as election over National Party attacks Knitting Nannas and democracy

christine nannas

MEDIA RELEASE - 10 April 2015

The Greens NSW coal seam gas spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham said that a complaint by National Party officials, which has led to a warning from police to Knitting Nannas who have staged weekly peaceful knitting sessions outside Nationals member for Lismore, Thomas George, in protest against coal seam gas, is a ridiculous attack on the democratic right to peaceful protest and Deputy Premier Troy Grant should clarify whether his party and government want the Nannas shut down.

“As soon as the election is over the first move of the National Party has been to try to use the cops to shut down a peaceful group of people knitting outside their local member’s office.

“This ridiculous attack on our democratic right to protest is a desperate attempt by the National Party to stop opposition to coal seam gas so that they can roll out toxic gasfields across our state.

“If the National Party wants to ban knitting in the street then I can only imagine what their response will be to the level of protest they can expect if coal seam gas is allowed to return to the Northern Rivers.

“Police Minister Troy Grant needs to clarify whether he and the Nationals want the Knitting Nannas shut down and whether his government supports the right to peaceful protest.

“The issue of coal seam gas is bigger than the state election. As much as the National Party might wish the issue would go away now the election is over, they are kidding themselves if they think communities will stop protesting while there are still toxic coal seam gas licenses in NSW,” Mr Buckingham said.

Contact: Jack Gough - 9230 2202 or 0427 713 101

5 comments

  • Nannas Harassed by Police in Needle proof vests was a great comment I read today

    Like

  • The Nannas show how powerful
    Satire can be in terms of ‘threat’ to the status Quo. They’re peaceful, focused and radiate the issue in no uncertain way that does attract attention … I know I would not sleep very well if a bunch-a-Nannas were camped outside my door opposing me in some way .. Pheeeeeew scary!!! The situation does highlight how far legal demonstration can go…

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yeah but these are highly trained, highly skilled tactical ‘attack nannas”, trained in the dark arts of ‘having a social conscious, common sense & knitting’ you can see how any member of the Nationals or Liberals would feel threatened - aside from the knitting (which is clearly a front) it’s all uncharted territory for them!

      Liked by 1 person

  • Are you people serious?

    Someone was injured there a few weeks ago because of protest activity. They leave a clear line along the building line.

    Are the Greens suggesting we ignore the legal requirement to keep an area clear along building lines so such people as those with visual impairments, mothers with prams, people in wheelchairs, and many more have more difficulty getting around just because it suits their agenda?

    Like

  • look out…it’s nannageddon :)

    Like

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