Legal observers are independent from the protests they attend. As such they neither liaise with police or other groups about people attending the protest, nor participate in the protest in any other capacity (eg as a police liaison or marshal).

Having legal observers at a protest sends a message of solidarity with, and affirmation of, the democratic right of citizens to protest. Protesters who may feel frightened by the situation they find themselves in can feel more supported when legal observers are present.

Experience in many areas has found that having legal observers at a protest acts as a deterrence for poor behaviour on the part of police and security personnel towards protesters. Notes and records collected by legal observers can be used to provide evidence for ongoing dialogue with police about police behaviour. What Do Legal Observers Do?

Legal observers observe, record and monitor the actions of police and private security personnel including:

detailing interactions between police/security personnel and members of the public

taking photos and/or videos of key incidents

making a detailed written account of any incidents

collecting evidence for further reports or follow-up after the event

How To Become a Legal Observer

When necessary, SALO runs Legal Observer Training workshops for people who are interested in learning the basics of legal observing, how it works, what it can be used for, and why it’s important for activists. This training is a requirement for being a legal observer with SALO; however, it’s also a great opportunity to get to know the basics of legal observing and the skills involved for use in your own organisation.

Join us at Parliament House on Thursday 16th May as we launch a campaign to repeal the undemocratic SA anti-protest laws on the first anniversary of their introduction.

Passed by the South Australian Parliament in just 20 minutes, and without consultation, these laws escalated penalties in the Summary Offences Act for obstructing public places from $750 to $50,000 (or 3 months) imprisonment. These new laws are part of a concerning trend nationwide of introducing legislation to repress protest. They broaden the scope of offences that police can use and further criminalise peaceful community activism.

Protests and social movements have delivered our civil and political rights. Tolerance of dissent and even civil disobedience are hallmarks of a strong democracy. History has vindicated many acts of disobedience, including ‘Votes for Women’, the global suffrage movement; American Civil Rights Movement; Builder’s Labourers Federation Green Bans; and Vietnam Moratorium marches that blocked Adelaide intersections. With implied threats of extreme fines and jail time, the new laws have had a chilling and repressive effect on protest. This often disproportionately impacts those with marginalised identities, who so often have played a key role in bringing about social change.

The South Australian community deserves laws that are the result of deliberation and consultation, not policy on the run, so we’re calling on the SA Parliament to go back to drawing board and reconsider them.

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