In a late-night press conference on Monday, NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna defended the actions of police towards demonstrators as “justified”.
“I absolutely think the police actions were justified tonight,” McKenna said.
He said officers were being “threatened, jostled and assaulted” by protesters.
“We had to enact powers to move that crowd on and direct them out of the CBD,” McKenna said.
It led to “a number of melees, rolling fights at times, and violent behaviour from members of that crowd”, he said.
“Lots of people did, in fact, leave. Those who didn’t leave, if they got caught up in something, well, they made their choice.”
Police said 27 people were arrested, including 10 for allegedly assaulting police. Paramedics treated a number of people after capsicum spray was used, but there were no reports of serious injuries.
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