NSW Police To Restrict Protests During Israeli President's Visit
The NSW government has invoked special powers ahead of the Israeli president's five-day visit, warning would-be protesters that police will not allow "conflict on Sydney streets". The move has been met with resistance from 13 state and federal MPs, who have written to the police commissioner appealing for him to work with protest organisers to facilitate a planned assembly and march.
The group of MPs, including Greens MP Sue Higginson, are pushing back against Premier Chris Minns' warnings, accusing him of trying to paint peaceful protest as "inconvenient and illegitimate". They argue that protesters have the right to express their views lawfully and that the police should work with them to ensure a safe and peaceful assembly.
The NSW police commissioner has stated that additional powers will be used to manage crowd safety, maintain separation between different groups, and prevent confrontation. Anyone who fails to comply with police directions may face penalties, including fines of up to $5,500.
Protesters fear the additional powers could be used to effectively ban protests in the CBD and eastern suburbs over the course of Israeli president Isaac Herzog's visit. The group has proposed a rally from Town Hall through the streets of the Sydney CBD, but police have deemed it "unauthorised".
Premier Minns has warned people to avoid the CBD on Monday afternoon, saying that he hopes protesters can remain calm and respectful during the president's visit. However, Greens MP Higginson argues that the police should facilitate the protest gathering and march, ensuring the safe exercise of the right to protest.
The debate highlights the tension between the NSW government's efforts to maintain public safety and the rights of protesters to express their views. As Israeli president Herzog prepares to arrive in Sydney on Monday, concerns remain about the impact of the visit on the city's streets and the potential for violence.
The NSW government has invoked special powers ahead of the Israeli president's five-day visit, warning would-be protesters that police will not allow "conflict on Sydney streets". The move has been met with resistance from 13 state and federal MPs, who have written to the police commissioner appealing for him to work with protest organisers to facilitate a planned assembly and march.
The group of MPs, including Greens MP Sue Higginson, are pushing back against Premier Chris Minns' warnings, accusing him of trying to paint peaceful protest as "inconvenient and illegitimate". They argue that protesters have the right to express their views lawfully and that the police should work with them to ensure a safe and peaceful assembly.
The NSW police commissioner has stated that additional powers will be used to manage crowd safety, maintain separation between different groups, and prevent confrontation. Anyone who fails to comply with police directions may face penalties, including fines of up to $5,500.
Protesters fear the additional powers could be used to effectively ban protests in the CBD and eastern suburbs over the course of Israeli president Isaac Herzog's visit. The group has proposed a rally from Town Hall through the streets of the Sydney CBD, but police have deemed it "unauthorised".
Premier Minns has warned people to avoid the CBD on Monday afternoon, saying that he hopes protesters can remain calm and respectful during the president's visit. However, Greens MP Higginson argues that the police should facilitate the protest gathering and march, ensuring the safe exercise of the right to protest.
The debate highlights the tension between the NSW government's efforts to maintain public safety and the rights of protesters to express their views. As Israeli president Herzog prepares to arrive in Sydney on Monday, concerns remain about the impact of the visit on the city's streets and the potential for violence.
just heard that NSW cops are planning to shut down a planned protest during Israeli president Isaac Herzog's visit... like what's next? 
people already know they're not allowed on certain streets but now it sounds like there will be penalties too 
this is getting super concerning 
this is getting crazy! I mean, come on NSW government, can't you just let people have a say without policing them every step of the way? 
it's like they're trying to stifle free speech or something... 13 MPs are standing up for peaceful protest and that's what we need more of - not less. The police should be working with protesters to keep everyone safe, not against them 
. The CBD is going to be a mess if people can't even express their views without being pestered by the authorities. It's all about balance, right? 
, premier minns trying to shut down peaceful protests and call it maintaining public safety lol 
... 13 mp's standing up for people's rights and he just dismissing them like that? 
... police commissioner should be working with protest organizers, not against them 
... what about free speech? don't ppl have a right to voice their opinions? 
... this is like they're trying to control every single thing that happens in sydney 
but honestly, what's the harm in a peaceful protest? 