Opera House Stunt Lands Campaigners in Court

Two Australian activists face criminal charges for projecting pro-cannabis messages onto the Sydney Opera House. Alec Zammitt and Will Stolk launched images of cannabis leaves and other pro-weed images on the famed landmark on April 20, 2022, the cannabis community's 4/20 high holiday.

From the Park Hyatt Hotel early on April 20, Zammitt and Stolk used laser projectors to project the imagery onto the world-famous Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge. 

The police raided the hotel suite where the projectors were set up. Both men were charged with offences related to "Distribution of advertisement etc. on Opera House Premises,". Similar legislation is associated with the Sydney Harbour Bridge. However, police have chosen not to pursue charges about that part of the demonstration.

Stolk and Zammit argue that their actions did not form a commercial advertisement. Instead, the act was a constitutionally protected protest of Australia's prohibition of cannabis. As well as being a show of support for reform legislation discussed in the New South Wales Parliament. 

Prosecutors have now changed their approach and agreed that Zammitt and Stolk's actions were a political protest rather than a commercial advertisement. However, they continue the proceedings and require the pair to present their constitutional defence in court.

On January 31, Stolk and Zammit face a hearing in the case. First, the attorney general's office will reveal if it will oppose the activists' defence based on political expression or communication. If the defence is opposed, the matter will be set for a hearing.

If a trial goes ahead and the activists are convicted, Stolk faces a fine of up to $1,100. Zammit's penalty could be twice that due to a second charge for a trial run he carried out before 4/20. Both men hope the court proceedings will focus on the ongoing prohibition of cannabis in Australia. Their expectation is that prosecutors will drop the charges before the case reaches the Australian High Court. The case's constitutional implications and the desire to continue spreading a pro-cannabis message are important for Australian political debate.

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