Sydney Police Defend Use of Force Following 27 Arrests at Anti-Herzog Protest
Key Facts
- 27 people were arrested and nine were charged following the Monday night protest.
- 10 police officers were assaulted during the event.
- NSW Greens MP Abigail Boyd reported being punched by police and was seen wearing a neck brace.
- Attendance estimates varied between 6,000 (police) and 50,000 (organizers).
- Police used pepper spray and physical force to prevent protesters from marching.
- The visit follows a December 14 attack at Bondi Beach that killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl.
New South Wales police are defending the use of physical force and pepper spray during a demonstration against Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit, which resulted in 27 arrests and 10 officers assaulted. Nine individuals have been charged following the Monday night rally in Sydney, where authorities and organizers provided conflicting attendance figures ranging from 6,000 to 50,000 people. The confrontations occurred after a court upheld police powers to prevent a planned march, restricting the demonstration to a static gathering at Town Hall.
Video footage showed officers charging and punching protesters, including the dragging of Muslim men during prayer. NSW Greens MP Abigail Boyd reported being punched in the head and shoulder by police, while NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated officers showed "remarkable restraint" against what he described as an "angry and violent mob." Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna stated that police were "significantly outnumbered" by individuals acting in a violent manner during multiple "rolling fights."
NSW Premier Chris Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the police response, citing an "impossible situation" and the necessity of keeping protesters away from an event involving Herzog. Conversely, the Australian National Imams Council and human rights groups described the police actions as "shocking" and "entirely unacceptable." A follow-up protest was held Tuesday outside the Surry Hills police station to demand the withdrawal of charges and investigations into police conduct.
Historical Context
The Australian government invited President Herzog to visit following a December 14 shooting at Bondi Beach that killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration. In response to that attack, New South Wales introduced "major event" powers that allow police to restrict public demonstrations and shut down specific city areas. Protesters lost a legal bid to overturn these specific powers just 30 minutes before the Monday rally began.
Perspective Analysis
Sources: BBC · The Guardian · New York Times · Al Jazeera
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