On Friday evening, a handful of residents gathered on the grassy median strip of Canning Street in Melbourne’s Carlton suburb to protest a council ban on drinking in the area.
The demonstration was peaceful, with participants bringing punch bowls, chips and a lighthearted atmosphere that included laughter and friendly chatter.
Some picnickers set up a full alfresco arrangement, placing a wooden table with a tablecloth and a vase of yellow flowers on the strip, and ladling punch from a glass bowl into a wooden table.
Other groups sat on picnic blankets, passing around bags of chips and sharing drinks in a relaxed, community‑focused setting.
The event underscored local opposition to the ban, as residents used the median strip—a popular spot for social gatherings in Melbourne—to voice their concerns and enjoy a traditional picnic.
<small>Source: The Guardian — read the original story there.</small>
