Occupy Sydney Protesters to Challenge Charges before High Court
The legal counsels of parties arrested during Occupy Sydney demonstrations are elevating the charges to the High Court for ultimate ruling.
Fourteen members of the group appeared before Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court Monday to as part of the legal process concerning the charges against them.
Stuart Littlemore QC has confirmed with ABC News the group will challenge the constitutionality of the charges of protesting in a public place.
On top of the protest itself, other charges include resisting arrest and refusing to comply with terms of a council notice laid after a police raid on the protesters' camp in Martin Place in October.
The group insists the "police acted beyond their powers" during the protests, giving sufficient grounds for the case to be taken up to the High Court.
The spokesperson of the group, Wenny Theresia, argued the group wasn't just camping out for the sake of having a good time.
"(W)e were campaigning for change," she said.
Before the court session begins, a group of around 30 other protesters raised black and red flags outside the court. They chanted "corporate greed" and "don't charge us, charge the banks."
Protester Josh Lees told ABC the group will continue to take action against the "ridiculous" charges against them.
"We're going to be contesting them because we have a right to protest and what the police did was outrageous," he said.
The protesters claimed the police used unnecessary force and abused their authority during a raid in Sydney in October. Several people were arrested at the time. One protester, known as Annalise Dupille, was charged with biting an officer, reported ABC.