Keep Sydney Open announce their first public rally
A call for action, Keep Sydney Open have announced their first public rally as a means to detest the lockout law situation and reclaim Sydney's nightlife.
The two-year lockout law trial period is up, and now under review in Sydney, which has seemingly garnered more harm than good; ironic considering the reason for its cause. Experiencing betrayal and a lack of trust from our state government, an ever-growing hole continues to stretch out, sucking in small businesses and venues as their numbers deplete and causing the discontent of our city's residents to mature more and more each day.
After tens of thousands of emails, angry rants, letters, articles, phone calls and tears shed as a result of the devolving state of affairs, it's time for further action to be subjected, so who better to call it than local collective, Keep Sydney Open?
Comprised of music venues, cultural organisations and genuinely concerned citizens, the inspiration of Keep Sydney Open was birthed out of the passion to support safe nights out. Although triggered by the notions of the lockout laws, the main aim is to seek pride in the culture of our city, which is really only doable by the way Sydney residents construct the environment that we choose to live in.
Having handled their campaign beautifully with patience and diligence in raising awareness (such as informing and scouting signatures for their petition at Laneway Festival), Keep Sydney Open have gained enough momentum to announce their first public rally.
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Taking place this Sunday, 21st February, attendees will meet at Belmore Park in Central at 12:30pm, and will progress into the CBD just after 1pm; making a special pitstop at Bar Century (a bar of initiation, cheap drinks and smelly everything, R.I.P) for a special mock funeral to commemorate those businesses, venues and former employees who have lost their battle with the impact of the lockout laws.
Similar to the success of SLAM (Save Live Australian Music) in Melbourne of 2010, the Keep Sydney Open rally hopes to offer alternative solutions to the government, including:
- Lockout exemptions for licensed premises that are predominantly live music venues
- An end to the new licence freeze for predominantly live music venues and small bars
- The lifting of restrictions on retail hours
- Late-night public transport (eg Melbourne introducing 24 hour weekend public transport)
- The introduction of a Night Mayor, like in Amsterdam and Berlin
- An invitation from government to discuss next steps in partnership with those whose livelihoods depend on the music and cultural industries thriving in Sydney
- Police to work with, not against, the responsible venues who provide safe nights out in a global city
There will be special guests conducting talks, including Isabella Manfredi (The Preatures), Dave Faulkner (Hoodoo Gurus), Bernard Keane (political editor of Crikey) and Tyson Koh (Keep Sydney Open).
Alongside speakers, catch live sets from Royal Headache and Art vs Science.
Be sure to head over to the rally this Sunday, 21st February at Belmore Park (Facebook event HERE), as well as the Keep Sydney Open fundraiser at Freda's on Thursday, 3rd March.
Words by Hannah Galvin.
Photo: Royal Headache at Sydney Laneway Festival by Maria de Vera for Life Music Media.
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