Change of date, venue for Mardi Gras policing forum

SYDNEY: A forum to be held this week to discuss policing practices at Sydney Mardi Gras has been re-scheduled due to a large response from the community.

The Sydney Mardi Gras Policing Community Forum, originally planned to take place this Thursday at the Police Auditorium in Surry Hills, will now be held on Tuesday, March 19 at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre in Surry Hills.

The change of date and venue was prompted by a large number of enquiries from people wanting to attend, organisers say.

Attendees must now register for the rescheduled event. Registrants can choose to remain anonymous.

The forum was set up in response to claims of police brutality and excessive force at a range of events at this year’s Mardi Gras.

The forum will be attended by senior members of NSW Police, Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, and representatives from Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, ACON, the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby and the Inner City Legal Centre.

Attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with senior police and LGBTIQ community leaders about any police-related incidents they experienced during Sydney Mardi Gras.

“The response we’ve had to the forum so far clearly indicates that this is an issue which affects many people in our community,” said Sydney MP Alex Geenwich.

“The new venue is significantly bigger and we look forward to welcoming a lot more people to have a civil and constructive dialogue with the police and community representatives who will be attending the event.”

The Sydney Mardi Gras Policing Community Forum will now be held on Tuesday, March 19, 7pm, at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre, 37 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills.

To register, go to www.policecommunityforum.eventbrite.com