On Friday, a group of people gathered on the grassy median strip of Canning Street in Melbourne for a picnic, despite a new local rule that prohibits drinking in the area. The event was part of a protest against the ban, which was introduced by the local council in response to complaints from nearby residents about noise, litter, and unsafe behavior. The council had reclassified the median strips, which had previously been considered public park spaces, as non-park areas. The ban was announced by the Wine Corner Store on Instagram, where the owner cited complaints from "a few unrelenting miserable neighbours." In response, a counter-petition against the ban quickly gained over 7,707 signatures, following an initial petition with only 29 signatures. This shows the strong public reaction to the new rule and the community's desire to maintain access to public spaces for social activities. The protest on Friday was described as peaceful and well-mannered, with attendees chatting, sharing drinks, and discussing the importance of preserving public spaces for community gatherings. Adam Pulford, the Greens candidate for the seat of Brunswick, encouraged people to join the protest through social media. Sam Drummond, one of the participants, stressed the need to keep these spaces accessible, especially in the wake of the pandemic, which had limited public interactions. Rachel Richmond, a local resident of Canning Street, described the gathering as "the most civilised act of civil disobedience I've ever participated in." While she acknowledged that the protest might appear to be more common among middle-class individuals, she emphasized the broader issue of public space and the right to enjoy it. Local councillor Edward Crosling, representing the Carlton North ward, recognized the residents' concerns but felt the council had overstepped by banning drinking outright. He planned to push for a motion to reclassify the median as open space. Steve Misfud-Ellul, the owner of the Wine Corner Store, stated that his business was unfairly blamed for the behavior of people who chose to stop on the grass near the wine bar. He pointed out that the council had investigated every complaint and found no actual issues. Premier Ben Carroll also commented on the situation, saying he would personally intervene if the council did not reverse the ban.