Reclaim the Streets are throwing a festival for marriage equality at Prince Alfred Park in Sydney on Saturday September 23. The free event, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, launches into action at 1pm with multiple stages featuring bands and DJs to fill the park with love throughout the afternoon. At 2pm, participants are invited to vote on mass at the Strawberry Hills Post Office adjacent to the park, encouraging marriage equallity supporters to cast their votes. Music groups on board include Deeper Than House, Hypnotic Events, Swerve and Syd Def Jam with more acts to be announced.
David Bentley, spokesperson for Reclaim the Streets has said,
“It’s critical we get people to vote in the first couple of days after the ballots have been sent out. We need you to tick YES and post it back as soon as possible, otherwise it’s gonna get put off and forgotten, or lost under piles of junk mail, or eaten by your dog. We also think it’s important to make this fun, and get people out to vote together.”
“Since the plebiscite was announced, hotlines have recorded receiving 20x more calls than usual from LGBTIQ+ people concerned for their well-being. It’s clear that this plebiscite is designed to harm our community – that’s why it’s more important than ever that we get together, and show how powerful we are.”
Reclaim the Streets are known for throwing events in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Last year they organised Keep Newtown Weird & Safe marches after homophobic violence repeatedly occurred in Newtown. Other events have been run in the past, including a festival against lock out laws (due to the increase in violence) which saw a party of 10,000 people dancing through the city. The organisation is comprised of local activists, artists and music promoters.
After hosting the biggest LGBTQ+ protest in Melbourne just last week, you can show your support at upcoming Melbourne events. These include a Public Forum: From Marriage Equality to Queer Liberation on Tuesday September 12 and Student Day of Action for Marriage Equality on Wednesday September 13.
