Petition Classify MyPlace as a hate group

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that the aftermath of COVID-19 in Victoria has led to a resurgence of community spirit, yet another crisis looms as anti-lockdown protests evolve into disruptive groups like MyPlace.

MyPlace has started to set up shop around Victoria and other communities around the country. Their disruptive tactics have recently been seen in areas like the Latrobe Valley, Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, the City of Casey, City of Greater Shepparton, Mansfield and Campaspe Shire.

This group has manipulated forms of information to encourage their supporters to disrupt council meetings with claims of untrue health and social information. This includes a wide range of conspiracy theories on the COVID-19 pandemic, 15-minute cities, gender and sexuality in our community, as well as misinformation about the rights of the people under the populist theory of the sovereign citizen movements.

The Government's intervention to ban MyPlace is crucial, as it will further protect our communities from individuals and hate groups who profiteer off misinformation and community disruption under the guise of misinformation, especially as we seek to move on from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The information being peddled as truth and fact is providing these groups with a cult-like mentality, and reinforcing negative behavioural patterns, which have led to ongoing problems with the rise in extremist and violent behaviour overseas.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to classify MyPlace as a hate group.