Case Explained:This article breaks down the legal background, charges, and implications of Case Explained: Canberra bar declared a crime scene as police seize ‘clearly satirical’ posters under new Commonwealth hate laws – Legal Perspective
Police have seized five posters from the window of a Canberra bar, declaring the venue a crime scene and forcing it to close while officers investigate a possible breach of new Commonwealth hate laws.
Warning: Images in this story may cause offence.
Dissent Cafe and Bar in Canberra’s CBD has had images depicting Donald Trump, J.D Vance, Elon Musk, Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin dressed in Nazi-like uniforms on display in the front window for several weeks.
However, on Wednesday night, 15 minutes before a band was set to start their gig, three ACT police officers arrived at the venue and told owner David Howe they had received a complaint about the posters.
“It was a crime scene — that was their words,” Mr Howe said.
“I was quite shocked that a work of art is considered worthy of this sort of police attention, particularly given the subject matter.
“These posters are demonstrably anti-fascist in their message, yet we have police coming in and shutting us down for displaying them.“
Dissent Cafe and Bar was closed, a gig cancelled last-minute and a crime scene declared after police seized five posters in the window. (Supplied: Dissent Cafe and Bar)
New Commonwealth legislation questioned
In a statement, ACT Policing confirmed they attended a venue in the city after receiving a complaint.
The statement said the police requested the owner remove the posters as part of an investigation.
Dissent Cafe and Bar owner David Howe said he was surprised when police arrived and shut down his venue. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)
“The owner declined this request and so a crime scene was established,” the statement said.
“Five posters were subsequently seized and will be considered under recently enacted Commonwealth legislation regarding hate symbols.
“Enquiries in relation to the posters are continuing, including seeking formal advice on their legality.
“ACT Policing remains committed to ensuring that alleged anti-Semitic, racist and hate incidents are addressed promptly and thoroughly and when possible criminality is identified, ACT Policing will not hesitate to take appropriate action.”
A poster depicting Elon Musk in a Nazi-like uniform was among those seized by ACT police. (Supplied: Dissent Cafe and Bar)
Under the new laws, it is an offence to publicly display prohibited symbols.
“A police officer may seize a thing … if the thing is, depicts or contains a prohibited symbol that is displayed in a public place,” the legislation says, specifically giving the example of the Nazi symbol.
However, there are some provisions for “religious, academic, educational, artistic, literary, scientific or journalistic” purposes under the Commonwealth legislation.
Posters of Benjamin Netanyahu and Vladimir Putin were also seized. (Supplied: Dissent Cafe and Bar)
‘Clearly satirical’
The five posters are by UK artist Blam from the group Grow Up Art and can be easily purchased online.
“It’s appalling that you call out fascism and no surprise the fascists try to shut it down,” the artist told the ABC.
“It’s clearly satirical [and] it shows you how utterly ridiculous the police force are at missing the point [and] wasting everyone’s time.
“Speaking out about the rise of fascism, racism, capitalism and genocide isn’t a hate crime.”
‘No regrets’
Mr Howe said he had never received a complaint about the posters.
“In fact, we have quite a few people who comment on them favourably to us inside the bar,” he said.
He said he did not regret displaying them.
“I believe that the artistic merit — the point of the posters — is to foster an awareness of the words and deeds of some of the world leaders in our political system. I think that it’s worthwhile to bring that to people’s attention,”
he said.
No charges have been laid.