Brickbat: Silent Down Under

In Australia, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon extended restrictions on public assemblies and protest marches in Sydney's central, southwest, and northwest metropolitan areas for another two weeks. The restrictions started on Christmas Eve after a major terrorist attack at Bondi that killed 15 people and injured many others. Lanyon says the goal is to give the community time to grieve and feel safe. While peaceful gatherings are still allowed, they cannot get official police approval, and officers can order people to move on if they block traffic or pedestrians, or act in intimidating ways. Critics, including the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, argue the measures limit free speech and create fear in the community. The restrictions can be further renewed every two weeks for up to three months.