That conversation between YouTuber Lauren Southern and police on streets of Lakemba
LOCAL Police in Lakemba have stopped alt-right provocateur YouTuber Lauren Southern in her tracks as she walked the streets of Lakemba with a pack of security guards claiming she needed them.
NSW
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When local police stopped extreme right-wing activist Lauren Southern before she walked past a mosque in Lakemba today, a spirited conversation about multiculturalism ensued.
Here is the transcript:
Inspector Rick Agius: “You want to capture footage for a reason. What is your purpose?”
Southern: “My purpose was to check out how this area was. People told me it was a potential area that did not fit in with Australian culture, that it had become a bit of an Islamic monoculture and I’m doing speeches here on the topic of multiculturalism and integration. Before I speak about things I like to be aware of what the problems are in the area and it does seem this has become quite a monoculture so we are capturing it on video.”
Insp Agius: “Well what have you identified on Haldon St?”
Southern: “I’m sorry?”
Insp Agius: “On Haldon St. What did you identify there? It’s a multicultural society, you walked up and down there without a problem.”
Southern: “Well we also have seven security with us, police following us and cameras following us.”
Insp Agius: “So why don’t you walk down there without your seven security?”
Southern: “Because I think we both know, like you said, it’s a highly religious area. You’re the one who told me that. Who may be offended by my presence because every time I have been to a no-go zone in Europe I have been attacked and my camera man has been attacked.”
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Insp Agius: “The local community walk around here without any fear. I walk around without fear.”
Southern: “Right, but I’m a critic of Islam.”
Insp Agius: “Yes … I’m asking you not to attend there. I have a fear that you may create an imminent breach of the peace. Do you understand that? Do you understand that?”
Southern: “I don’t think I’ll be causing a breach of the peace. I haven’t spoken to a single person. I’m just going to walk.”
Insp Agius: “I’m asking you not to attend down there because I have a fear you may cause an imminent breach of the peace and you also may commit an offence.”
Southern: “Am I allowed to walk through the area?”
Insp Agius: “No, I’m asking you not to go down Wangee St.”
Southern: “You’re asking me, but do I have a legal right to walk down this area?”
Insp Agius: “At this point in time no. I’m asking you …”
Southern: “So would it be illegal for me to walk past the mosque area?”
Insp Agius: “In current circumstances I have fear that you may create an imminent breach of the peace.”
Southern: “So you’re telling me right now it would be illegal to walk outside a mosque?”
Insp Agius: “I’m asking you to have a lawful reason to attend in front of the mosque.”
Southern: “My reason is that I am a journalist and I would like to just film and walk in this area and see what Lakemba looks like. That’s my reason.”
Insp Agius: “Alright, you walk past the mosque, you do not engage, you do not cause any problems. I’ve given you a warning that I fear you may cause an imminent breach of the peace. If you cause an imminent breach of the peace I may have to take lawful action. Do you understand that?”
Southern: “What would be me causing it? If I say absolutely nothing? If I speak to no one? If I just walk through there I would not be involved?”
Insp Agius: “Yes.”
Southern: “Okay I will walk through there. I will not speak to anyone.”