Protestors advocating for Palestine forced to leave International Cricket Match
A pro-Palestinian banner displaying the messages “freedom is a human right,” and “all lives are equal” was removed from Optus stadium in Perth during a match on the weekend.
Cricket fans were also heard chanting pro-Palestinian slogans on the fourth day of the test match between Australia and Pakistan.
The sign, written in red, green, and black, displayed the same message Australian batsman Usman Khawaja wore on his shoes during a recent training session.
The banner displayed by fans was removed for breaching Cricket Australia’s terms of entry, and the patrons were removed by security due to alleged “anti-social behaviour.”
“Some patrons were removed because of antisocial behaviour, not because of the sign.”
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The Epoch Times has contacted Optus Stadium for additional comment.
Test Opener Speaks Out
The news follows Muslim opening batter Usman Khawaja declaring he would fight a decision by the International Cricket Council (ICC) preventing him from wearing political messages on his shoes for the cricket match.
The cricketer took to social media to declare the message was not political and he was not taking sides.
“What I wrote on my shoes isn’t political. I am not taking sides. Human life to me is equal. One Jewish life is equal to one Muslim life, is equal to one Hindu life, and so on,” he said.
Mr. Khawaja expressed concern for innocent people dying in the Middle East conflict, explaining it makes him think of his two girls.
“I am just speaking up for those who don’t have a voice. this is close to my heart. When I see thousands of innocent children dying without any repercussions or remorse, I imagine my two girls,” he said.
“What if this was them? No one chooses where they were born. And then I see the world turn their backs on them. My heart can’t take it. I already feel my life wasn’t equal to others growing up, but luckily for me I never lived in a world where that lack of inequality was life or death,” he said.
Cricket Australia said it supports the right of players to express personal opinions, but players are expected to uphold ICC rules.
“But the ICC has rules in place which prohibit the display of personal messages which we expect the players to uphold.”
