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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Benita Kolovos Victorian state correspondent

New police pat-down powers in Melbourne face legal challenge from ‘Greedozer’ activist and Invasion Day rally organiser

Police Melbourne Human Rights Victoria
Benny Zable (left) and Tarneen Onus Browne outside the federal Court of Victoria in Melbourne on Monday.
Benny Zable (left) and Tarneen Onus Browne outside the federal Court of Victoria in Melbourne on Monday. The pair are leading a legal challenge against a declaration allowing police to stop and search anyone in the CBD. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP

An organiser of Melbourne’s annual Invasion Day rally and an 80-year-old environmental activist are leading a federal court challenge against a Victoria police declaration allowing them to stop and search anyone in the CBD for the next six months.

The Human Rights Law Centre, acting for plaintiffs Tarneen Onus Browne and Benny Zable, filed the challenge on Monday and said they want it heard by the federal court before an Invasion Day rally planned for 26 January.

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