Danny Lim (activist)


Danny Lim is an Australian activist and former politician. He is known for wearing political protest signs on a sandwich board.

Biography

Lim moved to Australia in 1963, where he began work as an electrical technician.

Political career

Local government (2008-2012)

In 2008, Lim was elected to the Strathfield Council as the lead candidate for an independent ticket, which received 13% of the vote. Lim ran on the policy of "openness, transparency, accountability and morality" in the council, and refused to get paid for his time in office.

State and Federal campaigns

During the 2016 Federal election, Lim ran for the Australian Senate and received 0.01% of the vote in New South Wales. He also ran as an Independent for the Legislative Council in the 2019 New South Wales election, gaining 644 votes.

Controversies

Swearing court case

In 2015, Lim was fined $500 for offensive conduct after publicly wearing a sign which labelled the incumbent Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott a 'CVNT'. A GoFundMe campaign by supporters raised enough money to cover the fine within less than an hour. The court ruled that the word 'cunt' is not always offensive when said in public compared to countries like the United States and that the fine would have constricted his right to political communication implied in the Constitution. Due to this ruling, he was not fined. The case was seen by law Professor Luke McNamara lawyers as a step towards protecting civil liberties.

Arrests

Lim was arrested for offensive behaviour at Barangaroo in January 2019. This was due to a sign which included the word 'CVNT' which was previously ruled by the courts as legal. He has since commenced legal action against the charge and the police officers who arrested him. A rally was held to protest the arrest which was reportedly attended by approximately 300 people. On 30 August 2019, the case was dismissed.