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Thousands gather to support Keep Sydney Open and protest current lockout laws

Thousands gathered yesterday to support Keep Sydney Open and protest against the lingering lockout laws that have plagued Sydney since 2014.

Rally

The event kicked off at Sydney’s Belmore Park, with the march making its way through the CBD and settling at Hyde Park where live music and speeches were presented. The march intermittently stopped to pay tribute to venues, small businesses and jobs that have been lost as a result of the lockout laws.

Speaking at the rally, Tyson Koh of Keep Sydney Open said “This is a celebration of what makes Sydney great. This is as much a celebration as it is a protest”.

It has been estimated that around 15,000 people attended the rally, protesting for the removal of 1.30am lockout laws and 3.30am cease of service, as well as improving late night public transport throughout the city.

Both Isabella Manfredi and I want to #keepsydneyopen. Today showed the world how many people feel the same, with over 15000 people supporting safe nights in a global city. 📷 @patstevensonhobo

Posted by Nina Las Vegas on Saturday, February 20, 2016

Sydney outfit Royal Headache took the stage to perform, along with Art vs Science who smashed out a killer cover of the Beastie Boy’s (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party), while Isabelle Manfredi (The Preatures), Dave Faulkner (Hoodoo Gurus) and DJ Nina Las Vegas gave speeches.

With the current Sydney lockout laws are up for review, the NSW Government has welcomed opinions from members of the public on the issue as they begin to compose their final report, which is expected to handed down in August.