2026-02-11
ACT Greens members will today join members of the community to reaffirm the right to peaceful protest in demonstrating against Israeli president Isaac Herzog-- a man who signed bombs to be dropped on Gaza-- and his visit to Australia.
"This morning Canberrans will once again send a clear message that a man who has been identified by a UN Panel as inciting genocide is not a welcome guest in this city", said Greens MLA Laura Nuttall, who spoke at a previous rally against Herzog's visit on Monday.
"Monday's protest in Canberra was a peaceful demonstration and we send solidarity to those in Sydney who were met with a violent response to peaceful protest.
"The scenes we saw on Monday night in Sydney were absolutely disgraceful. Police used extreme new powers to crack down on those peacefully protesting and, in some cases, simply practicing their faith.
"This crackdown from the NSW Labor government, and the draconian limits on freedom of speech proposed by the LNP government in Queensland, show a worrying curtailing of civil rights and bringing us closer to the authoritarianism exhibited in Trump’s America. In Canberra we cannot rest on our laurels, and we must actively resist this.
"I of course welcome that ACT Policing did not follow the lead of their New South Wales counterparts on Monday evening. The Australian Federal Police must today allow the planned peaceful protest to go ahead unimpeded.
"The Greens' core values of peace and non-violence should be prioritised by all. It is why we unequivocally support people impacted by the Bondi terror attack. It is why we support a free Palestine. It is why we protest against the head of a state that is committing genocide.
"The Greens will proudly join the protests today against violence and genocide, against Isacc Herzog, and against the Australian government's poor judgement inviting him here in the first place. This should be an uncomfortable day for Anthony Albanese," Miss Nuttall said.
ACT Greens members will join Palestine Action Group Canberra and other members of the community in protesting on the lawns of Parliament House against the official visit of President Herzog.