bloodrayne
08-18-2004, 04:53 AM
Witch Says She Was Demonized
WITCHCRAFT is a peaceful religion and witches do not worship Satan, a tribunal heard yesterday.
But a press release issued by a Christian councillor had incited hatred, contempt and revulsion against transgender witch Olivia Watts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal was told.
Ms Watts, who was formerly a policeman, casts spells and believes in both a god and goddess, but does not practise evil magic, barrister Richard Niall said.
"This is not a case of a flippant, off-hand remark, this is not a case about broomsticks or cats -- this is a case of a deliberate and cruel attack," Mr Niall said of Cr Rob Wilson's statement.
"What Mr Wilson wrote about Ms Watts was a cruel and bigoted set of statements. It was false in many respects and picked on Ms Watts because of her religion."
Entitled "Satanic Cult Out To Take Over Casey", Cr Wilson's 2003 statement said Ms Watts' declaration she was a witch was a matter of concern for all Casey residents.
Cr Wilson, who is now the mayor of Casey, also warned of a satanic cult attempting to attack or take over the council.
Ms Watts claims the public attention resulting from Cr Wilson's press release ruined her life and forced the closure of her naturopathy business.
Two months after the press release was issued, Ms Watts alleges a man attacked her at her Junction Village home, south of Cranbourne.
But barrister Michael Thompson, for Cr Wilson, said Ms Watt's complaint of religious vilification was misconceived because witchcraft was not a legally recognised religion and the practice of witchcraft was illegal.
Mr Thompson said Cr Wilson was entitled to free speech.
During cross-examination, Mr Thompson asked Ms Watts about her 18 years of experience as a male police officer.
"You were sometimes referred to as the Ice Man because you were a person able to deal with particularly stressful and emotionally draining situations," Mr Thompson submitted.
"Wasn't it (the attack) something, as a former policeman, that you would take in your stride?"
The hearing was to continue today.
WITCHCRAFT is a peaceful religion and witches do not worship Satan, a tribunal heard yesterday.
But a press release issued by a Christian councillor had incited hatred, contempt and revulsion against transgender witch Olivia Watts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal was told.
Ms Watts, who was formerly a policeman, casts spells and believes in both a god and goddess, but does not practise evil magic, barrister Richard Niall said.
"This is not a case of a flippant, off-hand remark, this is not a case about broomsticks or cats -- this is a case of a deliberate and cruel attack," Mr Niall said of Cr Rob Wilson's statement.
"What Mr Wilson wrote about Ms Watts was a cruel and bigoted set of statements. It was false in many respects and picked on Ms Watts because of her religion."
Entitled "Satanic Cult Out To Take Over Casey", Cr Wilson's 2003 statement said Ms Watts' declaration she was a witch was a matter of concern for all Casey residents.
Cr Wilson, who is now the mayor of Casey, also warned of a satanic cult attempting to attack or take over the council.
Ms Watts claims the public attention resulting from Cr Wilson's press release ruined her life and forced the closure of her naturopathy business.
Two months after the press release was issued, Ms Watts alleges a man attacked her at her Junction Village home, south of Cranbourne.
But barrister Michael Thompson, for Cr Wilson, said Ms Watt's complaint of religious vilification was misconceived because witchcraft was not a legally recognised religion and the practice of witchcraft was illegal.
Mr Thompson said Cr Wilson was entitled to free speech.
During cross-examination, Mr Thompson asked Ms Watts about her 18 years of experience as a male police officer.
"You were sometimes referred to as the Ice Man because you were a person able to deal with particularly stressful and emotionally draining situations," Mr Thompson submitted.
"Wasn't it (the attack) something, as a former policeman, that you would take in your stride?"
The hearing was to continue today.