20 arrested at Brisbane Roma Street rally over banned slogans under new Queensland lawsA Brisbane protest has become the first major test of Queensland’s new hate speech laws, with police arresting 20 people after banned slogans were chanted.Andrew HedgmanGift this articleless than 2 min read1 hours ago.Updated 46 minutes agoNewsWirePolice have made 20 arrests after moving in on a pro-Palestine rally in Brisbane where about 300 people were heard chanting “from the river to the sea”, in the first major test of Queensland’s new hate speech laws.The demonstration was held at Emma Miller Pl in Roma St on Saturday afternoon, where protesters gathered to oppose legislation passed by parliament on March 5, which strengthened penalties for breaches of gun laws and made two slogans, “from the river to the sea” and “globalise the intifada”, illegal when used in certain contexts.About 300 protesters gathered at Emma Miller Place in Roma St. Picture: Ben Pennings / FacebookAs the rally escalated, protesters defiantly chanted “from the river to the sea” and some displayed the phrase on placards, prompting a police response.Officers moved in to make arrests at the scene, before some protesters relocated to the Brisbane watch-house, where further arrests were made outside the building.Queensland Police confirmed a total of 20 people were taken into custody.In total, police laid 14 charges of display prohibited expression and seven charges of recite prohibited expression.The rally was held in opposition to new Queensland legislation passed on March 5. Picture: Ben Pennings / FacebookThe arrests come as authorities continue to enforce the new laws, which have already seen earlier charges laid since coming into effect last month.Liam Parry, 33, became the first person charged under the legislation following a protest outside Queensland Parliament House on March 11.Mr Parry is facing one count of reciting or publicly displaying a prohibited expression that is reasonably expected to menace, harass or offend a member of the public.Police said enforcement operations are ongoing as they respond to protests across Brisbane and other parts of Queensland.Andrew HedgmanReporterAndrew Hedgman is a journalist for NCA Newswire.Andrew HedgmanMore related storiesNewsWireMelbourne City seals finals berthMelbourne City has won a fourth successive game to seal a spot in the upcoming A-League finals series.Read moreNewsWireWanderers condemned to wooden spoonFor the first time in their history, Western Sydney Wanderers will finish an A-League season on the bottom of the ladder.Read more