Monica Smit
Monica Smit is an Australian anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown protester.[1][2] She is the founder of Reignite Democracy Australia (RDA), an anti-lockdown and COVID-19 conspiracy group.[3] Smit gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as a critic of Victorian Government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4][5]
In August 2021, Smit was remanded in custody after being charged with incitement for encouraging breaches of lockdown restrictions.[2] She initially refused to accept her bail conditions, resulting in detention.[2] Upon her remand, Smit's then-partner, Morgan Jonas, who was also an anti-lockdown activist and critic of former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, organised a crowdfunding campaign to support her legal defence.[4][6] The campaign raised $247,000 in five days, despite some of Smit's legal representation being provided pro bono.[6] She spent 22 days in custody before agreeing to the bail conditions and being released.[5][6] In July 2022 the incitement charges were withdrawn.[7][8]
In October 2023, Smit and RDA were charged by Consumer Affairs Victoria with failing to register a fundraiser after raising $86,000 between September 2021 and October 2022 purportedly for Smit's legal defence.[9][10] In May 2024, both Smit and RDA were found guilty for running the unregistered fundraiser.[9] In 2022 she indicated that she was going to take legal action against Victoria Police, for unlawful arrests which occurred during COVID-19 protests.[11] In September 2024, Smit was awarded $4,000 after the County Court of Victoria found that she was unlawfully arrested by police on two occasions. She however, had costs of $250,000 awarded against her because she turned down a pre-trial settlement offer, which was greater than the amount she was awarded, and proceeded to trial.[5][12]
References
[edit]- ^ Lawrence, Naomi (28 October 2024). "Sky News Hosts Are Calling For Surveillance Of School Classrooms To Monitor Trans Issues". Star Observer. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Cooper, Adam (1 September 2021). "'Freedom activist' stays in custody after refusing to sign bail conditions". The Age. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Baker, Richard; Towell, Noel; Fox Koob, Simone (30 July 2021). "'Freedom' activists aim to harness anger for new political party". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b Davies, Anne (2021-01-09). "How an anti-mask firebrand fans the right's flames against Dan Andrews online". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
- ^ a b c Chung, Frank (13 September 2024). "'How is that fair?': Anti-lockdown protester Monica Smit ordered to pay $200,000 after winning unlawful arrest case". Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Jack, Paynter; Schelle, Caroline (8 September 2021). "How anti-vax leader Monica Smit made $50k a day in custody". news.com.au. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Timms, Hugo (5 September 2022). "Reignite Democracy founder Monica Smit fights charges". news.com.au. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Towell, Noel (31 October 2023). "Covid 'freedom' activist Smit back in court over legal fighting fund". The Age. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b Beatty, Liam (3 May 2024). "Monica Smit: Melbourne anti-lockdown activist found guilty for unlawful fundraiser". news.com.au. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Beatty, Liam (22 January 2024). "Monica Smit: Anti-vax activist to fight $86,000 unlawful fundraiser allegations". The Australian. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Timms, Hugo (9 December 2022). "Judge questions case against anti-lockdown activist". news.com.au. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Cucchiara, Sam (September 2024). "Anti-lockdown activist wins court case but forced to pay police lawyer fees". Nine News. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
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