There have been fresh tensions in Sydney tonight as hundreds gathered to demand police face consequences over alleged brutality whilst controlling a protest at Town Hall yesterday.
Twenty-seven people were arrested last night, nine people have been charged, and five people were hospitalised after clashes between police and protesters at where about 30,000 people had gathered in opposition to Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the police response was “proportionate” to the situation, while Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said his officers showed “remarkable restraint”.
But police have drawn widespread criticism after footage emerged appearing to show officers punching protesters, pulling Muslim men mid-prayer and spraying capsicum spray, with Greens MP Sue Higginson referring the actions of police to the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
This afternoon, hundreds gathered at a snap protest at Harmony Park near the Surry Hills Police Station to protest what they claimed was police brutality.
“This is not a police state, we have a right to demonstrate,” Palestine Action Group organiser Josh Lees led the crowd in chants.
Protesters demanded that Minns resign and all charges against protesters be dropped. The mention of Minns drew loud boos from the crowd.
People held signs reading “stop police brutality”, “too many coppas, never any justice”, “stop the violence” and “this is not America”.
Hundreds of police officers, some mounted on horses, stood ready outside the station.
A police line formed up against protesters, causing tensions to escalate and shouts from the crowd.
Organisers urged protesters to disperse to avoid repeating scenes from yesterday.
Despite the tensions, the crowd eventually thinned, without major incident.
NSW Police arrested and 18-year-old man for allegedly continuously shining a torch in the face of police officers.
He was taken to Surry Hills Police Station where he was charged with three counts of assaulting police without actual bodily harm, and possession of a knife. He was due in court tomorrow.
Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna claimed police “showed enormous restraint in a high-pressured situation”.
“The antagonistic behaviour and provocation displayed by several protesters was significant; however, the professionalism of the police was borne out and I commend the composure shown by our officers on the frontline,” McKenna said.
“Police continued to perform their duties responsibly and respectfully, even when confronted with challenging behaviour and, in some instances, deeply disturbing conduct from individuals within the assembly.”
Greens MP Abigail Boyd said she was left “sore and battered” after being confronted by police during yesterday’s protest, sharing an image of herself in a neck brace on social media.
Her colleague, Newtown MP Jenny Leong, said she was pepper-sprayed while trying to leave the rally.
Several Labor MPs, including Anthony D’Adam, Stephen Lawrence, Sarah Kaine and Cameron Murphy, also attended the Town Hall protest.
Minns said while their presence was “politically inconvenient”, he would not fire them.
“I accept it’s politically inconvenient and perhaps embarrassing, but we won’t change our position in relation to this,” he said.
“I’m not going to pursue an endless loop of sacking people because they don’t agree with the government’s position.
“If they didn’t break the law, if they listened to police instructions, yes, it’s politically inconvenient, but it’s not hate speech and not a breach of the law.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Albanese said footage of yesterday’s protests will be examined and appropriate action will be taken.
“Many people who saw the footage, particularly of the people who were praying, and the action taken, will want to know all of the circumstances around that,” he said.
“I will allow the police to do their job.”
Muslim and pro-Palestine advocacy groups have demanded an apology and promised not to back down.
Meanwhile, across Sydney this evening, Herzog and Albanese attended a service at the Chabad of Bondi.
Herzog addressed the Jewish community in attendance to pay tribute to the 15 people killed in the December 14 terrorist attack at Bondi.
“Their absence has torn a gaping hole in the hearts of the Jewish people,” he said.
“I see it in your faces, I hear it in the trembling voices. This is the home of a community in bereavement and mourning.
“My wife Michal and I have come here from Jerusalem on behalf of your sisters and brothers in Israel and across the Jewish world to mourn with you, to weep with you, to stand with you, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart.”
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