NSW Police has taken court action to stop a pro-Palestine rally, marking the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks, from going ahead in Sydney.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb has applied to the NSW Supreme Court to stop the gathering, organised by the Palestine Action Group for Monday. She has also applied to stop the group’s Sunday rally, a weekly fixture since the Hamas attacks, from being held due to safety concerns.
Protesters with a photo of late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Melbourne on Sunday.Credit: AAP
“Officers from Operation Shelter have conducted negotiations with protest organisers, who did submit a Form 1 for each proposed public assembly, but are not satisfied that the protest can proceed safely,” NSW Police said in a statement on Tuesday night.
“Accordingly, the commissioner has decided to apply to the NSW Supreme Court to prohibit the two assemblies.”
The statement said NSW Police “recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly” but added that “the safety of the participants and the wider community” was the force’s top priority.
Palestine Action Group organiser Damian Ridgwell said the group would fight the application and described efforts to stop the rallies as an “attack on fundamental democratic rights”.
“We intend on defending our right to protest and are determined to continue standing for justice for Palestine and Lebanon,” Ridgwell said.
“We do have a right to protest in Australia thankfully and we will be defending that.”
On Monday, NSW Police said two flags “displaying a terrorist organisation symbol” during a pro-Palestine rally on Sunday and investigations were continuing, although no incidents had been referred to the AFP.
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