Danny Lim (activist)

Danny Lim (born 1944) is an Australian activist and former politician. He is known for wearing political protest signs on a sandwich board.

This article is about the Sydney activist. For the Filipino general, see Danilo Lim. For the Malaysian journalist, see Danny Lim.
Danny Lim
Councillor for Strathfield
In office
2008–2012
Personal details
Born1944 (age 76–77)
ResidenceSydney, New South Wales, Australia
OccupationFormer Councillor
and Electrician

Biography

Lim moved to Australia in 1963 , where he began work as an electrical technician.[1]

Political career

Local government (2008-2012)

In 2008, Lim was elected to the Strathfield Council as the lead candidate for an independent ticket, which received 13% of the vote.[2] Lim ran on the policy of "openness, transparency, accountability and morality" in the council, and refused to get paid for his time in office.[3]

State and Federal campaigns

During the 2016 Federal election, Lim ran for the Australian Senate and received 0.01% of the vote in New South Wales.[4] He also ran as an Independent for the Legislative Council in the 2019 New South Wales election, gaining 644 votes (0.01%).[5]

Controversies

Swearing court case

In 2015, Lim was fined $500 for offensive conduct after publicly wearing a sign which labelled the incumbent Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott a 'CVNT'.[6] A GoFundMe campaign by supporters raised enough money to cover the fine within less than an hour.[7] The court ruled that the word 'cunt' is not always offensive when said in public compared to countries like the United States and that the fine would have constricted his right to political communication implied in the Constitution.[8] Due to this ruling, he was not fined. The case was seen by law Professor Luke McNamara lawyers as a step towards protecting civil liberties.[9]

Arrests

Lim was arrested for offensive behaviour at Barangaroo in January 2019.[10] This was due to a sign which included the word 'CVNT' which was previously ruled by the courts as legal. He has since commenced legal action against the charge and the police officers who arrested him.[11] A rally was held to protest the arrest which was reportedly attended by approximately 300 people.[12] On 30 August 2019, the case was dismissed.[13]

References
  1. Elliott, Tim (1 December 2017). "'Sandwich-board activist' Danny Lim: 'It's important to get people thinking'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  2. "STRATHFIELD MUNICIPAL COUNCIL". Electoral Commission NSW. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  3. Vollmer, Tim (4 January 2009). "Councillor on a Lim". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  4. "Senate: First preferences by candidate". Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  5. "Legislative Council - State Election 2019". vtr.elections.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  6. Barwell, David (29 August 2017). "Lim wins appeal over Abbott 'c-bomb'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  7. Lawrence, Vannessa (24 August 2015). "GoFundMe Campaign Covers $500 Fine Activist Danny Lim Copped For Abbott C-Bomb". Pedestrian TV. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  8. "Court Rules It's OK to Refer to Tony Abbott as a C*#t". NSW Courts. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  9. Webb, Tiger (5 September 2017). "When it's against the law to swear". ABC News. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  10. Press, Australian Associated (11 January 2019). "Serial Sydney protester Danny Lim arrested for offensive behaviour". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  11. Keoghan, Sarah (13 January 2019). "Sandwich-board activist Danny Lim to take legal action against police". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
  12. Zhang, Annie (13 January 2019). ""We love you, Danny": Hundreds gather to protest Danny Lim's violent arrest". Honi Soit. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  13. Danny Lim's 'CVN'T' sign not offensive, court rules Sydney Morning Herald 30 August 2019
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