Protests

Free the Strip! Melburnians fight back against outlawing of much-loved picnic spot

The Guardian26 September 2026, 00:12 UTCAustralia

A council ban on drinking on the median strip in Canning Street, Carlton, sparks a peaceful protest featuring punch bowls, chips and laughterGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIt looked like a typical spring evening on Melbourne’s Canning Street when a few dozen picnickers gathered on the grassy median strip on Friday, with drinks in hand.People in one group who’d come with a full al fresco setting chattered as they ladled punch out of a glass bowl on a wooden table, set with a tablecloth and yellow flowers in a vase. Others sat on picnic blankets, passing around bags o

Read the full story at The Guardian Open in the live monitor

Related discussion groups

No group discusses this yet. Start a discussion group and attach this story.

More news about Australia

VIDEO: Australia wants to sell solar power to Singapore. But does anyone want it? - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting CorporationGoogle News8 October 2026, 07:30 UTCAustraliaVIDEO: Australia wants to sell solar power to Singapore. But does anyone want it? ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Western Australia launches $543 million Goldfields water pipeline overhaul, reviving desalination plant - The Cool DownGoogle News8 October 2026, 07:20 UTCAustraliaWestern Australia launches $543 million Goldfields water pipeline overhaul, reviving desalination plant The Cool Down
Waltzing off down under - The UK's Contender fleet is now loaded for Australia - Sail-World.comGoogle News8 October 2026, 07:18 UTCAustraliaWaltzing off down under - The UK's Contender fleet is now loaded for Australia Sail-World.com
'Vital' major US and Australian-backed rare earths mine moves forward - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting CorporationGoogle News8 October 2026, 07:10 UTCAustralia'Vital' major US and Australian-backed rare earths mine moves forward ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australia's Fortescue cash drops over 37% amid China buying curbs - Mining WeeklyGoogle News8 October 2026, 07:09 UTCAustraliaAustralia's Fortescue cash drops over 37% amid China buying curbs Mining Weekly
Australia Backs Global 300 Million Rooftop Solar Homes Goal - TaiyangNewsGoogle News8 October 2026, 07:08 UTCAustraliaAustralia Backs Global 300 Million Rooftop Solar Homes Goal TaiyangNews
ARIA Warns Lawmakers That Australia Could Be Used as ‘Trojan Horse for Big AI’ - BillboardGoogle News8 October 2026, 07:03 UTCAustraliaARIA Warns Lawmakers That Australia Could Be Used as ‘Trojan Horse for Big AI’ Billboard
The Best Luxury And Indulgent Cruises In Australia This Summer - Cruise PassengerGoogle News8 October 2026, 07:00 UTCAustraliaThe Best Luxury And Indulgent Cruises In Australia This Summer Cruise Passenger

More on Protests

School protests part of a broader French malaise?France 248 October 2026, 09:20 UTCFranceProtestsHigh school students across France launched a fresh day of protests on Thursday, despite government attempts to ease the crisis which has rocked the country for days. But coinciding with a cost of...
Indian Opposition Leaders Detained as Protests Over Voter Rolls IntensifyNew York Times8 October 2026, 08:35 UTCIndiaProtestsLawmakers in the capital were forcibly removed for a second consecutive day as police cracked down on demonstrations against the removal of voter names.
French high school protests continue despite PM’s promise of action – Europe liveThe Guardian8 October 2026, 07:46 UTCFranceGovernment leadersDemonstrators have rejected a promise by Sébastien Lecornu to present a plan to fix the country’s education system by the end of the monthHigh school protests across France show no sign of slowing...
Azerbaijan protests to Germany, calls ex-BND chief's spy case reports 'smear campaign' - Türkiye TodayGoogle News8 October 2026, 07:28 UTCGermanyProtestsAzerbaijan protests to Germany, calls ex-BND chief's spy case reports 'smear campaign' Türkiye Today
How India’s Gen Z Protests Inspired Gen AlphaNew York Times8 October 2026, 07:00 UTCIndiaProtestsIndia’s youngest students are staging sit-ins and protesting the run-down conditions of their schools, drawing inspiration from the Gen Z protests that roiled the country this summer.
Thursday briefing: Why young people are taking to the streets across FranceThe Guardian8 October 2026, 05:43 UTCFranceProtestsIn today’s newsletter: A youth-led movement is protesting crumbling school buildings and teacher shortages while turning adult focus onto wider educational inequalitiesGood morning. In my experienc...