Thousands Expected To March In Keep Sydney Open's Pill Testing Rally This Weekend

Over 7,000 people are expected to participate in Keep Sydney Open's rally in support of pill testing this weekend. 

Starting at Sydney Town Hall from 4pm, experts and campaigners for harm minimisation will give speeches before the protest moves to Hyde Park. 

It comes after a 19-year-old woman died from a suspected drug overdose at FOMO Festival in Sydney this past weekend, while a a 22-year-old male also died from an "unknown substance" at Lost Paradise festival just a few weeks ago.

"Premier Gladys Berejiklian ordered pill testing evidence be banned from consideration, and then tells the public she hasn’t seen the evidence," Keep Sydney Open's Tyson Koh said.

"If the NSW Liberals ignore life-saving advice, they shouldn’t be in government. No more reports. No more inquiries. The Keep Sydney Open political party wants pill-testing now."

Yesterday, Victoria's Rainbow Serpent festival issued a YouTube video urging government to "untie the hands of promoters" and introduce pill testing.

"We call on state governments around Australia to acknowledge the global evidence showing the benefits of pill testing and to untie the hands of promoters and allow us to deliver world’s best practice care for our patrons," festival organiser Tim Harvey said.

"We promise, changing your mind costs a lot less than human life." 

For more details on this weekend's rally, check out the Facebook event page.