Newspaper Article
- Title
- 'Free Sharkey!' Call by Mass Meeting; Crimes Act Condemned
- In
- Guardian
- Imprint
- no. 440, 21 October 1949
- Abstract
Details a meeting of 800 people, protesting against the 3 year sentence handed to Communist Leader Lance Sharkey. In March 1949 Sharkey had told a Sydney journalist that if 'Soviet Forces in pursuit of aggressors entered Australia, Australian workers would welcome them'. He was tried in the Central Criminal Court and found guilty of uttering seditious words. The High Court of Australia upheld his conviction and in October he was sentenced to three years imprisonment. The term was later reduced and he served thirteen months.