NSW Police Eject Mardi Gras ’78er From Sydney Cricket Ground Over Anti-Putin Poster

NSW Police Eject Mardi Gras ’78er From Sydney Cricket Ground Over Anti-Putin Poster
Image: Mardi Gras ‘78er and filmmaker Barbara Karpinksi (left) was ejected from the Sydney Cricket Ground and 78ers march in the 44th Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras (right). Images: Supplied

One of the original Mardi Gras ‘78ers and filmmaker Barbara Karpinski was ejected by police from the Mardi Gras celebration at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday evening after briefly holding up a handmade poster that included symbols of love and peace. 

Karpinski who identifies as queer and bi-sexual, was still a schoolgirl when she was arrested in the first Mardi Gras. Locked up in a cell with other protesters, she joined the campaign for NSW police to apologise for their violent and intimidating behaviour towards the 1978 Mardi Gras protesters. This was successful and led to an apology in 2016.

‘Lyubov Nyet Wor Putin, Mir Putin’

Karpinski, who herself comes from an Eastern European background, told Star Observer that she was very upset by human rights abuses in Russia and the suffering of the Ukrainian people.

On Saturday, she purchased yellow sheets of paper and blue chalk to create her own Mardi Gras sign which included the Russian words: lyubov nyet wor Putin, mir Putin. These words, which in English mean ‘Love not war Putin, Peace Putin’ were accompanied with hearts (love) and peace symbols. Wearing a t-shirt featuring a news photo of her getting arrested in the first Mardi Gras, Ms Karpinski took the poster with her to the SCG. 

Also Read:

LYLE SHELTON TARGETS ANTHONY ALBANESE, THE WIGGLES OVER SYDNEY MARDI GRAS APPEARANCE

NSW POLICE ARREST FOUR PEOPLE AT SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS PARADE

 

The parade was already underway when she took her seat in the ‘78ers seating area. She then briefly stood with the poster while a friend took a photo of the poster.

She was approached by a police officer who told her she was not allowed to have “offensive material on a licensed premises.” Karpinski asked, “but who have I offended?”. The policewoman said: “It’s a licensed premise. You are not allowed anything political. It is offensive.” 

Karpinski said she then handed over the poster because she was afraid of the police and it was clear that a decision had been made.

‘She Is Not Allowed Back In’

Mardi Gras 78er Barbara Karpinski was wearing a t-shirt featuring a news photo of her getting arrested in 1978 and holding up an anti-Putin poster at the Sydney Cricket Ground when she was approached by the police during the 44th Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras. Image: Supplied

“My banner was anti-Putin, pro-democracy. It’s not about Ukraine versus Russia. For me, it’s about people resisting oppression. That’s what we did in 1978. It was about the contemporary moment. It was upsetting especially as I had made it myself – not high tech, not a big fancy float, but a personal artwork.”

The police officer then consulted with four other police and then two of them returned and insisted that Ms Karpinksi leave with them. She asked if she could remain and watch the parade but they insisted that she leave with them. She was then ejected from the stadium and as she left heard one police officer say to an usher on the gate, “She is not allowed back in.” 

Karpinski who was wearing bandages on her knees and an arm told the police she was a ‘78er and had a disability. She was left in shorts and had to walk home in the dark without all her belongings which were back in the stand.   

‘Disappointing And Upsetting’

Star Observer has confirmed Ms Karpinski’s account with an observer who witnessed the events. It has also read the Mardi Gras instructions sent to all participants which did not include any direction that political signs are not permitted. Indeed, the official parade contained what the ABC news anchor Juanita Phillips described on Sunday night as political messages with Ukrainian flags. The Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich himself wore a T-Shirt with the words “Kyiv Pride”.

Karpinski told Star Observer, “What happened was very disappointing and upsetting. Apologising in 2016 means little unless it’s a living apology. It’s ironic I was ejected from the ‘78er stand by police in 2022 for my values of resistance to war and exercising my right to protest.

With next year’s World Pride coming up, we can’t have police arresting people for expressing points of view. My experience means there is still a lot of work for police and Mardi Gras to do.”

The Star Observer has sought a response from the NSW Police and will update this story when it is supplied.

 

If you feel distressed reading the story, you can reach out to support services.

For 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14

For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.

 

 

You May Also Like

12 responses to “NSW Police Eject Mardi Gras ’78er From Sydney Cricket Ground Over Anti-Putin Poster”

  1. Mardi Gras has always been a political statement from its inception. Are we going to ban political party floats and politicians as well?

  2. Absolutely ridiculous everyone should have stood with her. Nothing political also totally unbelievable as the event is or was political. What have Mardi Gras said about this?

  3. Oh the police again! The outfit that still hasn’t been able to muster a proper apology to the gay community yet for the many sins of the past. When it came to an apology there was no Minister of course – just an underling and still mini outrages like this continue.
    At least we now know Scott finally got justice thanks to a wonderful brother who never let go… but woe to anyone who thinks the police have really changed- some have but a lot haven’t!

  4. Dear Mardi Gras board,
    I’m so disturbed by this article, knowing the Ukrainian flag was displayed on the screen to show our support to suffering people. Will the board discussed this issue with the NSW police ?
    https://starobserver.com.au/news/nsw-police-eject-mardi-gras-78er-from-sydney-cricket-ground-over-anti-putin-poster/210744
    Mardi gras is all about politics and I did march many years with floats having a strong political messages.
    Thanks for your consideration,
    Didier Poisseroux

  5. It makes no sense that a political statement is banned from what was originally a political protest. It just shows how entrenched in mainstream conformity Mardi Gras has become. BORING!

  6. So so disappointing. The implications for solidarity with queer Ukrainians is surely embedded in what Mardi Gras / PRIDE are all about!

  7. Which Act states political signs are banned and warrant eviction from licenced premises which are holding large political events? The officers involved and commander/s in charge over reached their authority, badly. The NSW Police investigation into this incident will prove its’ tolerance for intolerance.

  8. I find this really upsetting. I was starting to feel our police force whilst still doing their job had become humanised. Apparently not. Talk about blinkers.