Keep Sydney Open Rally

Overview

Sydney's lockout laws have kept the city talking since they were first announced — and they'll continue to do so on February 18. After their last rally was stopped at the last minute due to a Supreme Court ruling, Keep Sydney Open's new and third anti-lockouts protest will take place from 12pm.

"We are announcing that the rally will go ahead at a later date, and it will be bigger, louder and stronger than the one originally scheduled," said KSO in a statement, which also highlights a second reason for the peaceful gathering. "This time we're not just protesting to draw attention to the lockouts, but we're fighting for our very right as citizens of NSW to gather on the streets and express ourselves politically."

Included on the bill for the event, which will take place at Martin Place, are a host of passionate voices. Join GANGgajang, Montaigne, Hugo Gruzman from Flight Facilities, FBi Radio DJs Adi Toohey and Andy Garvey, Isabella Manfredi from The Preatures, Liberal City of Sydney Councillor Christine Forster and Alex Greenwich MP — and, because sustenance is important, Gelato Messina and Wholly Schnit as well.

Further details, including a venue, have yet to be revealed, but yesterday's cancelled event was due to team up with Sydney's ARIA-winning duo Flight Facilities. As fans would know, Flight Facilities invo Flight Facilities has been continually outspoken in their opposition to the lockouts. After all, the duo played some of its first gigs after 3am at now-closed Kings Cross venues, including Hugo's, Soho, Tank Room and the Piano Room.

Flight Facilities were included in a group of artists commemorated recently in a KSO project, which paid tribute to closed Sydney venues and the artists who cut their teeth there. Flight Facilities have long been associated with Kings Cross's now-closed Piano Room, where Jimmy and Hugo met.

While the most recent development regarding the lockouts saw three venues receive a 30-minute extension to current cutoff times, Keep Sydney Open does not see that as a viable solution. Instead, the organisation wants to work with the NSW Government to implement a seven-point plan, as follows:

• Developing best-practice policing strategies;
• Investing in 24/7 public transport;
• Implementing integrated urban planning reform;
• Encouraging diversification of after-dark activities;
• Establishing anti-violence education and intervention campaigns;
• Incentivising well-run venues; and
• Appointing a Night Mayor or office charged with managing Sydneyʼs night-time economy.

"A 30-minute extension will not be enough to reverse the damage being done to the cultural areas and small businesses that make Sydney an exciting place to be," said Tyson Koh, director of Keep Sydney Open. "Itʼs barely enough time to line up for the bathroom or get a kebab.

"For too long the debate about our city and how we live our lives has been dominated by misinformation and fear-mongering. We call on the lobby groups who support the lockout laws to enter the conversation about smart solutions, instead of clearing people off the streets."

By Jasmine Crittenden and Sarah Ward.

Image: Kimberley Low.