A Keep Sydney Open night rally against Sydney’s “pathetic lockout laws”, will take place this Saturday, 21 January, in Kings Cross.
“We are calling an urgent rally to defend the colour, fun and vibrancy of our city before it’s destroyed. Come join us at Keep Sydney Open’s third rally. This time we’re doing it in Kings Cross, and at night”, the advocacy group announced on its Facebook page.
According to a video statement by Tyson Koh, campaign manager for Keep Sydney Open, the group is encouraging Sydneysiders to attend “a rally that is going to change the course of this city”.
The rally will feature world-renowned Sydney band Flight Facilities. The live act apparently played some of their first ever gigs at Hugo’s in Kings Cross, a venue which has closed down as a result of the lockouts, and will soon be playing at internationally renowned music festival Coachella, in the US.
Koh goes on to say: “We’re at a really crucial point in the struggle to ensure Sydney has a vibrant future.”
Why another rally? According to the Facebook statement: “In December, the NSW government chose to maintain a curfew instead of embracing smart policies that could create a vibrant and safe late-night culture for all Sydneysiders. Keep Sydney Open rejects the 30-minute lockouts extension as a solution and an urgent rally is needed to demand that the government pursue better policy before the city’s reputation and entertainment precincts are further decimated.
“Keep Sydney Open calls for the lifting of the 1:30am/2:00am lockout, allowing exemptions to the 3:00am/3:30am cease of service time, reverting the 11pm takeaway cut-off to midnight; and removing the freeze on liquor license applications in inner-city entertainment districts.
“We will work with the government and relevant stakeholders in any way we can to improve the living standard of all Sydneysiders.”
The exact location of the rally is yet to be announced, though interested attendees can join the event page on Facebook.
