Reclaim The Streets Festival Announced To Protest Sydney's Lockout Laws

A street festival, Reclaim The Streets, is set to takeover Sydney’s lockout zone for one day to protest Sydney’s laws which lock punters out of clubs at 1.30am, close bottle-shops at 10pm and stop the service of alcohol after 3am.

Billed as a “multi-stage mobile party,” Reclaim The Streets will start at the Hyde Park fountain at 1pm on Sunday, 13th September and will move through the specified lockout zone with a host of DJs and local producers playing over 8 sound systems.

26 acts have been announced so far, headed by Magda Bytnerowicz and Simon Caldwell who have been champions of the Sydney clubbing scene for many, many years. More names are expected to be announced before the event.

“The lockout laws haven’t reduced alcohol-related violence. They’ve just moved the problem to Newtown and crippled our city’s nighttime economy,” said Reclaim the Streets spokesperson Jack London.

“We need smarter responses to this social and cultural problem than treating the entire state like children.”

The festival is also being used to promote issues larger than the lock-out laws too. It will also protest “the influence of money on policy” addressing “Property developers, casino owners, miners, road builders and bankers,” who “are tearing our city apart for their own gain.”

“We believe the city should be affordable, open and supportive of everyone who works, lives or plays here,” organisers added on the event page, while also sharing another 99 things protesters can dance for when they take to the streets. See those listed below.

The free festival is all set to go down this Sunday, 13th September from 1pm and will be family-friendly. Check-out the list of DJs and producers playing so far below.

99 things to dance for, via Reclaim The Streets

Staying out late

Dogs that are pets, not police tools

Re-fund women-run women’s services

A casual beer in the park, or walking down the street

World class museums

Affordable rent

Community space

Trains that go somewhere other than Central

Loud music

Live music

Sunrises with friends

Making your own mistakes

Dance floors without CCTV

Take-aways after 10pm

Self regulated spaces

Personal responsibility

24-hour trains

Turning private golf courses into public parks

Parties without paperwork

Dancing without permits

High streets instead of clearways

Breastfeeding on the dance floor

Decriminalisation of fun

Effective police oversight

Good jobs for young people

Homes for the homeless

Mixed neighbourhoods

Genuine artists markets

Street art

Breathable air

Sustainable living

Free ambulance rides

Cycle ways

Prioritising pedestrians over traffic

Pokies out of pubs

Sex positivity

An inclusive city/Australia

To Welcome Refugees

Recognise First Nations People

Support the tent embassy

Support public housing

Free the Nipple!

Celebrate Difference

Sexual and gender diversity

Accessibility

Funding disability services

Supporting Carers

Multiculturalism

Mental health awareness

Mental health service funding,

Smart response to violence

More parks and fewer roads

Home made and fair trade

Freedom of speech and association

Good governance

Privacy

Decent working conditions

Ethical treatment of animals

Income and wealth equality

Strong social safety net

Free education and health care for all

Progressive taxation

Postering without fines

Presumption for bail

Music instead of threats from train station loudspeakers