Organisers of a controversial protest march in Far North Queensland have reported that their signs were being stolen almost as quickly as they could be erected ahead of Saturday's rally.
Sign Theft Mars Pre-Rally Preparations
The March for Australia event, which took place in Cairns on Saturday, faced immediate opposition when protest signs began disappearing within minutes of being placed around the city. Rally organiser James Daniel revealed the frustrating situation to attendees, explaining that the thefts occurred during their final preparations for the demonstration.
The Cairns Post observed the rally at the Fogarty Park location where approximately 150 people gathered to voice their concerns about various political issues. Despite the sign thefts, the event proceeded with participants expressing strong opinions about the current state of Australian democracy and governance.
Organiser Condemns Anti-Free Speech Actions
James Daniel didn't mince words when addressing the crowd about the stolen signage. He directly accused opponents of attempting to suppress free speech through these actions, framing the thefts as symptomatic of larger issues facing public discourse in Australia.
The March for Australia movement has been organising similar events across the country, with the Cairns demonstration representing one of several coordinated protests. The group's messaging typically focuses on themes of national sovereignty, government transparency, and protecting what they describe as Australian values and freedoms.
Community Reaction and Police Presence
Local authorities maintained a visible presence during the Saturday gathering, ensuring the protest remained peaceful despite the preliminary tensions surrounding the stolen signs. The event concluded without major incidents, though the sign thefts remained a talking point among participants throughout the demonstration.
This incident highlights the increasingly polarised nature of political discourse in regional Australia, where public demonstrations have become more frequent and sometimes contentious. The rapid disappearance of the signs suggests organised opposition to the rally's message, though no group has claimed responsibility for the removals.
Community response to the march appeared mixed, with some residents expressing support for the protesters' right to assemble while others questioned the timing and messaging of the event. The sign thefts have sparked broader conversations about acceptable forms of political protest and counter-protest in the Cairns community.
