Protesters fear blanket ban

Janine Watson and fellow Tecoma 8 picketer Mark Lawrence in protest early last month. 101834 PICTURE: Emma Sun

By REBECCA BILLS

THE matter of McDonalds versus Janine Watson and Ors is back in court this morning to ask Justice Kyrou not to extent orders that restrict the right to protest.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers are acting for the protesters, known as the ‘Tecoma 8,’ after McDonalds Australia obtained in interim injunction against the picketers.
Principal on the case Malcolm Cumming said the orders sought by McDonalds, particularly as they apply to the representative group, are so broad they could apply to people who do not even know they are of subject to them.
“They bind an ill-defined class of people, and are structured in such a way that, if successful, could have significant implications for community protests,” he said.