Dear Hon. Premier Berejiklian,

Thanks for your time, or your staff's time reading this petition.

I am writing because I am concerned about the coverage and responses to the recent protests.

As you know, it is a democratic right to protest, and it is important for governments to provide opportunities for people to participate in democracy.

41 000 people have died in Florida (population 26 million) in deaths attributed to Covid 19.

Only a few hundred people have died in Australia (population 25 million).

So I support the lock-downs.

I support the precautionary measures, even though my business is personally suffering and I'm not entitled to any government help.

What I do not support, is governments demonising people for exercising democratic rights, such as the right to protest.

I think that as part of the lock-down measures, there should be outlets for people who want to disagree, and who want to protest.

Examples of this could be people lying in the street 4 square meters apart wearing masks.

Or people blocking a street with cars, safe in their cars not associating with anyone else.

There are lots.

It is government's responsibility to lead, your responsibility to lead, and your responsibility to uphold democracy and ensure that everyone's voice is heard. Even people who disagree with you.

Kind regards,

Gill Jeffery.