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Police in Canberra are set to return a collection of “satirical” posters to a local bar after determining they did not breach the federal government’s new hate legislation.
Authorities had initially declared the bar a crime scene, leading to its temporary closure while all seven posters were confiscated.
As a result, a scheduled event was canceled, and patrons were asked to leave the premises for several hours.
“Upon review, it was concluded that although the posters met some criteria of the legislation, they did not fully contravene it,” ACT Policing stated.
“The posters will be returned to the owner shortly, bringing this matter to a close.”
“ACT Policing remains committed to ensuring that alleged antisemitic, racist and hate incidents are addressed promptly and thoroughly and when possible criminality is identified, ACT Policing will not hesitate to take appropriate action.”
Howe welcomed the news, saying “for now, satirical art is still allowed”.
The incident caused widespread shock from Canberra all the way to the United Kingdom, where the creators of the posters received word their “satirical” art had been met with police action.
“I completely support Dissent cafe and bars freedom of speech to call out fascists,” UK-based protest art group Grow Up Art said in a statement.
“The police are completely wasting everyone’s time by having sense of humour failure (no surprises there) but thanks to them for the free promo because everyone has started sharing my protest artwork around Canberra now.”
Howe told 9news.com.au at the time that he was shocked as the posters, which had been up for a month and received a positive response, were “obviously parody art with a distinct anti fascist message”.
“I struggled to understand how anyone could assume anything else,” he said.
”I was shocked and surprised. I don’t think their response or their actions were warranted.”
Labor Murrumbidgee MP Marisa Paterson contacted ACT Policing to seek clarification around the circumstances that took place, while Independent Kurrajong MP Thomas Emerson wrote to the police minister to seek an explanation.
“This seems pretty Orwellian to me,” Emerson said at the time. 
“Art intends to provoke and challenge us.
“In attempting to foster social harmony by preventing offence, we can’t afford to create more division. Government suppression of artistic expression and dissenting voices is incredibly divisive.”
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