Emails and Response from CAWB to Mayor Ford
29 September 2014
Dear Mayor Ford,
Re: Claimed Illegality of CAWB protest in Thompson Square
On July 21, 2013 Community Action for Windsor Bridge commenced a lawful and peaceful protest in Thompson Square against a NSW Government proposal that will provide no benefit to the Hawkesbury Community whilst having catastrophic consequences for the heritage, amenity, functionality and economic value of the Hawkesbury’s iconic tourism destination: Thompson Square. This protest, which takes the form of a round-the-clock presence in a very small part of the Square, should have had the unreserved support of yourself and all Councillors, as well as logistical and administrative support from the Council itself, whose responsibility it is to work in the best interests of the Hawkesbury community.
Instead CAWB is more than aware of the ongoing hostility from yourself and other Liberal and Liberal-aligned Councillors which has most recently been manifested in the Hawkesbury Gazette, page 7 under the heading ‘Progress on Windsor Bridge?' where you are quoted as describing action taken by CAWB as an ‘illegal occupation’.
Mayor Ford, along will all other Hawkesbury City Councillors, you have already received advice from Ms Kate Mackaness regarding the legality of our actions (email, 25.2.14, copy attached) which makes it abundantly clear the current protest in Thompson Square is an entirely legal manifestation of the citizens of the Hawkesbury exercising their democratic right to publicly disagree with the Government. We are not breaking the law; a position I am sure you have already taken the trouble to verify with the local Police.
By doing this you are besmirching our good name and reputation. This is a matter the organisation takes very seriously. CAWB has worked extremely hard to ensure we are at all times model citizens, a reliable source of accurate and verifiable information and a responsible and legal presence in the oldest public Square in the Nation.
Please provide immediate evidence in support of your statement, or a full public retraction and apology.
Yours sincerely,
Dail Miller
Chair CAWB
Dear Mayor Ford,
Re: Claimed Illegality of CAWB protest in Thompson Square
On July 21, 2013 Community Action for Windsor Bridge commenced a lawful and peaceful protest in Thompson Square against a NSW Government proposal that will provide no benefit to the Hawkesbury Community whilst having catastrophic consequences for the heritage, amenity, functionality and economic value of the Hawkesbury’s iconic tourism destination: Thompson Square. This protest, which takes the form of a round-the-clock presence in a very small part of the Square, should have had the unreserved support of yourself and all Councillors, as well as logistical and administrative support from the Council itself, whose responsibility it is to work in the best interests of the Hawkesbury community.
Instead CAWB is more than aware of the ongoing hostility from yourself and other Liberal and Liberal-aligned Councillors which has most recently been manifested in the Hawkesbury Gazette, page 7 under the heading ‘Progress on Windsor Bridge?' where you are quoted as describing action taken by CAWB as an ‘illegal occupation’.
Mayor Ford, along will all other Hawkesbury City Councillors, you have already received advice from Ms Kate Mackaness regarding the legality of our actions (email, 25.2.14, copy attached) which makes it abundantly clear the current protest in Thompson Square is an entirely legal manifestation of the citizens of the Hawkesbury exercising their democratic right to publicly disagree with the Government. We are not breaking the law; a position I am sure you have already taken the trouble to verify with the local Police.
By doing this you are besmirching our good name and reputation. This is a matter the organisation takes very seriously. CAWB has worked extremely hard to ensure we are at all times model citizens, a reliable source of accurate and verifiable information and a responsible and legal presence in the oldest public Square in the Nation.
Please provide immediate evidence in support of your statement, or a full public retraction and apology.
Yours sincerely,
Dail Miller
Chair CAWB
29 September 2014
Dear Mr Miller,
You are aware of my recent email to Mr Colin Hawkins in response to his email on this issue.
In my email to Mr Hawkins I acknowledged that this was a “peaceful protest” and have never suggested otherwise. However, unless CAWB have obtained Council’s approval “to occupy the parkland and erect a small marquee” they have not complied with the requirements of the Police in respect of the approval they have issued for a “Public Assembly” and the comments made in my email to Mr Hawkins are still applicable.
While action has not been instigated regarding the “peaceful protest” I consider the activity to be “illegal” just as it would be considered to be “illegal” for a group to occupy your property without your approval, particularly if your approval was required by the Police.
Yours truly
Kim Ford
from 4dee on the run.
Dear Mr Miller,
You are aware of my recent email to Mr Colin Hawkins in response to his email on this issue.
In my email to Mr Hawkins I acknowledged that this was a “peaceful protest” and have never suggested otherwise. However, unless CAWB have obtained Council’s approval “to occupy the parkland and erect a small marquee” they have not complied with the requirements of the Police in respect of the approval they have issued for a “Public Assembly” and the comments made in my email to Mr Hawkins are still applicable.
While action has not been instigated regarding the “peaceful protest” I consider the activity to be “illegal” just as it would be considered to be “illegal” for a group to occupy your property without your approval, particularly if your approval was required by the Police.
Yours truly
Kim Ford
from 4dee on the run.
30 September 2014
Dear Mayor Ford,
Thank you for your very prompt response. Your advice regarding your previous correspondence is noted and I have obtained a copy of your letter from Mr Hawkins who, you will note, I have cc'd into this email.
Regrettably neither your response to Mr Hawkins, nor your email to me addresses either of the two critical issues raised in our correspondence.
Could you please identify the specific law CAWB has broken, or immediately issue a public retraction and apology. This is a serious matter, Mayor Ford. As I have already noted, we take our reputation very seriously and object in the strongest possible terms to being accused of an illegal act.
If CAWB has acted inappropriately we would appreciate specifics.
Yours. sincerely,
Dail Miller
Chair CAWB
No further replies have been received as at 2.10.14
Dear Mayor Ford,
Thank you for your very prompt response. Your advice regarding your previous correspondence is noted and I have obtained a copy of your letter from Mr Hawkins who, you will note, I have cc'd into this email.
Regrettably neither your response to Mr Hawkins, nor your email to me addresses either of the two critical issues raised in our correspondence.
Could you please identify the specific law CAWB has broken, or immediately issue a public retraction and apology. This is a serious matter, Mayor Ford. As I have already noted, we take our reputation very seriously and object in the strongest possible terms to being accused of an illegal act.
If CAWB has acted inappropriately we would appreciate specifics.
Yours. sincerely,
Dail Miller
Chair CAWB
No further replies have been received as at 2.10.14