2023-10-20
The NSW Police have today announced that they will be working with organisers of a pro-Palestinian protest this weekend to ensure that the gathering will be authorised and that no extraordinary powers will be activated in response to peaceful protest.
Greens MP and spokesperson for Justice Sue Higginson said “The announcement from the NSW Police today that the peaceful demonstration planned for this weekend in Sydney will be supported is welcome news, a mark of mature leadership and a good step away from the tension of last week caused by the Premier,”
“Organisers of the pro-Palestinian rally have proven they are peaceful as well as political and this weekend they will rightly be supported by NSW Police Officers to ensure that the community can peacefully come together to call for an end to the conflict in Gaza and Israel. This is exactly how the police should respond when communities want to assemble to protest and collectively express themselves about political matters,”
“The recognition, by NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, that the community is to be commended for their conduct in the peace rallies is important and should set the tone for future engagement between organisers and the Government. His strong and clear statements that it is the role of police to keep people safe and to assist communities coming together is a mark of leadership and understanding of a healthy and mature democracy,”
“Just 7 days ago, we were in a very different position with the Government urging police to consider excessive and draconian actions in response to lawful gatherings of people in a public place. The words from the NSW Police today demonstrate just how powerful the combined pressure from organisers and civil society have been since last week,”
“Protest in the form of assemblies and marches should always be a partnership between community, police and the Government in a healthy and mature democracy. Communities should always feel safe to come together to voice their justice demands and express their pain, anger and grief at the wrongful actions of others wherever they are. It is incredibly encouraging that the NSW Police today are recognising this and working to facilitate the gathering of people who are pursuing peaceful outcomes through lawful actions,”
For media contact call Sue Higginson 0428 227 363