Support freedom of artistic expression! Oppose state censorship!

Support freedom of artistic expression! Oppose state censorship!
Defend Azlan McLennan!

The Howard governmentвs anti-terrorism legislationвbacked by all state governmentsв represents a serious threat to civil liberties and freedom of artistic expression. The January 20 confiscation by Footscray police of Azlan McLennanвs artwork вProudly unAustralianв (above), a burned Australian flag exhibited at the local gallery Trocadero Art Space, is the most recent attempt to curb dissent.

This is the fourth time McLennan has been censored over the 18 months and the policeвs threats to possibly charge the artist sets a new precedent in the recent bouts of intimidation and censorship of cultural expression.

It is a return to the practices of conservative prime minister Robert Menzies, Victorian premier Henry Bolte and Queenslandвs notorious Jo Bjelke- Petersen--all three regimes sought to squash the expression of dissident opinion as an вaffront to public moralityв.

Therefore, we, the undersigned:

1. Reaffirm our support for freedom of artistic expression and condemn the confiscation of Azlan McLennanвs artwork by the Victoria Police.
2. Call on the Footscray police to drop any impending charges and to issue an apology to Mr McLennan.
3. Call on the Victorian Bracks government to instruct the Victoria Police to cease its practice of raiding art galleries and removing works of art.
4. Commit ourselves to support any individual artist or artistic institution that is subject to attempts at censorship and persecution.

For further info go to http://www.azlanmclennan.org/press.html

Or to view the transcript of the ABC 7.30 Reportвs interview with Azlan McLennan: вArt prompts call for flag-burning law changeв go to http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2006/s1563582.htm
Broadcast: 06/02/2006