The federal court in Australia has ruled that police powers, introduced on the eve of World Youth Day, that banned anyone ''annoying or inconveniencing pilgrims'' during Pope Benedict's visit to Sydney, are unconstitutional. The ruling has been hailed as a ''major victory for the protest movement'' but just how significant is it for civil liberties?
The laws, which were passed weeks ago without discussion or debate, allowed police to arrest and fine people $5,500 if they were deemed to be annoying Catholic pilgrims during the six-day festival.
Members of a No to Pope Coalition took the New South Wales government to the federal court over the matter, arguing that it would effectively make peaceful protests illegal.
The main issue was the subjective nature of ''annoyance'' and criticism that the legislation was so broad as to disproportionately interfere with a person's right to political communication.
At one point, the court heard, good Samaritans handing out water to pilgrims could, by definition, be committing an offence.
Those who had suffered abuse at the hands of the Catholic church argued that the law meant their right to protest had been ''snuffed out''.
The full bench of the federal court ruled today that there was "no intelligible boundary" on what "causes annoyance".
Shocked by what they feel was draconian legislation, some in Sydney pointed out the irony of a visit by one of the world's leading religious figures prompting a significant crackdown on freedom.
One wrote on a blogpost: "I don't believe a visit by someone which is intended to celebrate freedom of religion and diversity of cultures should actually result in the implementation of a police state with rule by decree."
Another online retailer saw the humour in it all, selling T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan: "$5,500 - a small price to pay for annoying Catholics.''
Now that protesters are able to voice their concerns, what do you think are the most important issues to bring to the attention of the Catholic church?
