Fair Play initiative will return to help Mardi Gras partygoers

Fair Play initiative will return to help Mardi Gras partygoers

AFTER last year’s success, Fair Play is returning to the Mardi Gras festival as a community initiative designed to help partygoers understand their legal rights and monitor police operations.

Spearheaded by a coalition of Sydney-based LGBTI organisations including ACON, Inner City Legal Centre and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Fair Play raises awareness on issues such as health, safety, rights, and appropriate policing practices at parties over the Mardi Gras period where police drug dog operations occur.

The Fair Play initiative will also see a group of trained volunteers known as Fair Players who attend key Mardi Gras events and provide information on rights and legal support, emotional support and monitoring police operations.

There will also be a website and Facebook page that informs the community about their rights, the law, police powers, and information on how to get help or make a formal complaint.

ACON chief executive Nic Parkhill said: “ACON is proud to be part of this community-led response that seeks to keep party-goers informed and safe over the Mardi Gras period.

“We are committed to supporting people in our communities to know their rights and have the support, if needed, to hold police to account.”

Mardi Gras chief executive Michael Rolik added: “Fair Play continues to play an important role in ensuring members of our communities, and the many thousands of visitors who come to Sydney each year for Mardi Gras, have the information and support they need to have the best Mardi Gras experience.”

For details visit Fair Play’s website or Facebook page

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39 responses to “Fair Play initiative will return to help Mardi Gras partygoers”

    • I know that Donna Adney – before she was removed, introduced initiatives to encourage the community to report homophobic violence… even though acon/avp and iclc received considerable funding, it was a sham that proved ineffective in building trust and failed to curb homophobic violence.

      further to this, acon/avp and police failed to address violence perpetrated by a gang of teens over a two year period — the GLLO was rude to victims and sided with the bashers, while acon/avp (pictured) simply ignored victims… it was later revealed that the teen basher was related to a senior police officer, and the matter was quickly covered up.

  1. Kids, Don’t do drugs. They’re bad for you.

    Considering how much trauma our community has collectively suffered, its not a good idea to condone drug culture. It leads to misery for so many people.

  2. we have a mardi gra group now watching over our police and law enforcers, when did my peers start monitoring police and blaming police for an individuals actions from one year, any time ive went i noticed high police presence and everyone having a good time, i just can’t believe the gay people of sydney have turned on police like they are the problem, because they are not, a bit of logic doesn’t hurt to start using it, it’s society gone mad if it’s going to be a yearly reminder of police brutality because if you watch it again that video, you will only see one view, the usual view and that is half the story, you don’t see why police have to act in the way they do to help, to assist and to ensure everyone around is safe. Dont turn on the people who are there to help everyone have a great safe time, don’t start the blame all and every year round. It’s time to party and move on and allow police to do their job and if they are in a situation with someone, stay out of it, back away and let police handle it, if you don’t I don’t have sympathy for you!

  3. This initiative saw a much greater accountability in the 2013 and 2014 Mardi Gras seasons, with less problems, especially at Harbour Party and the main after Parade Party. Coupled with the ongoing agreement between NSWPF and SGLMG (Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras), expect safe and fair policing of events this season. Don’t be scared off by the lies and rants of naysayers. What has actually transpired since the disappointing 2012 season, is testament to a better working relationship, and a fairer, and safer, treatment of our community at SGLMG events.

  4. Richard raises some good points – NSW Police have failed the gay community – not only that – they have played an active part in the abuse and harassment of gay people – including of guys who go to beats – Richard stands up for these guys and he deserves praise – lets have some fun – NSW is fast turning into a boring police state and its very depressing

    • We get it, you don’t like the police. Grow up! If you commit a crime, regardless of whether you think it should be a crime, and you get caught; guess what, you’ll bear the consequences!

      The police do a good job, under trying circumstances; and self-indulgent fools don’t make their job any easier.

      Illicit drugs are illegal, and being in possession of them is a crime. You might not agree with that, but tough; the police are there to enforce the law, not turn a blind eye to it

    • lol… I remember watching on as Damon asked volunteers to loudly wish party-goers a ‘Happy Mardi Gras’ while sniffer dogs chased after people, police stripped and searched men behind trees, and men were distraught/angry/crying after being taken to the compound – some community leader you turned out to be… even officers were laughing at the Fair Play volunteers.

    • this gays vs police stuff has to stop or you will ruin a great event, too much focusing on bitching, bullying and giving bad blood all round making people turn off and there will be no mardi gras… #bitchesbegone already

    • the Fair Play volunteers were well out of their comfort zone, they looked stressed and unable to keep up with the dogs, police searches and plain-clothed officers sniffing about… also heard of an unfortunate incident at Harbour Party, though we’re not allowed to talk about that – no wonder officers laughed at them.

  5. don’t be fooled people… iclc and acon/avp have ignored police harassment, failed victims of homophobic violence, and even allowed NSW Police to cover up their involvement in homophobic violence — for continued funding opportunities… these ‘community’ organisations can not be trusted to speak on our behalf — it’s time to dismantle acon, we deserve better.