Protesters take aim at ‘maggot’ Dutton, ‘filthy’ Minns ahead of October 7 anniversary

Fears of unrest in Sydney consume the first anniversary of Hamas’ terror attack, after pro-Palestinian protesters swarmed the CBD on Sunday, taking aim at state and federal politicians.

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Fears remain that the first anniversary of Hamas’ brutal invasion of Israel could escalate into unrest in Sydney with two rallies planned for Monday, a day after 10,000 pro-Palestinian protesters swarmed the CBD, waving flags in Hezbollah’s colours and even one with a swastika.

Protesters on Sunday called the federal government “genocidal”, the opposition leader a “maggot” and the premier “filthy”, while one was due to be charged with displaying the Nazi symbol on an Israeli flag. Police said the balance of the crowd was compliant with directions and made no other arrests.

But authorities remain troubled over two pro-Palestinian events planned for today, a vigil at Town Hall and another rally at Lakemba mosque, on the anniversary of the day Hamas militants poured across the Gaza border and killed 1200 Israelis and took 250 hostages.

Anti -War protesters take to the street of Sydney. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Anti -War protesters take to the street of Sydney ahead of the one year anniversary of the Hamas attack. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said holding rallies today was “regrettable” because the day should be marked as a solemn occasion.

A big police presence was called in to help patrol yesterday’s demonstration, which centred on Hyde Park, amid concerns over safety because of its timing on the day before the anniversary.

NSW Police had launched legal action in court last week in a bid to stop it before officers and organisers reached an 11th hour agreement to allow it to go ahead.

After police asked people not to fly Hezbollah flags as it could amount to a criminal offence, protesters instead flew yellow flags with a green cedar tree - Lebanon’s symbol - the same colours used by the Lebanese terror group.

One woman even wore a yellow dress in an apparent nod to Hezbollah, while another protester had a yellow flag with Ned Kelly on it with text that read: “The boys in green and gold will win”.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna later said the flags and other plain yellow symbols did not constitute a criminal offence, but displaying portraits of slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah could be.

Some protesters called NSW Premier Chris Minns “filthy” and federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton was referred to as a “maggot”, while Israel was described as a “rapist state”.

The crowd also chanted: “glory, glory to our martyr and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.

Protesters gathered in Sydney on October 6, a day before the anniversary of the October 7 attack. Picture: Jeremy Piper

In Melbourne, Independent senator Lidia Thorpe addressed the crowd, speaking of “warriors” and “genocide”.

“Genocide (has been happening) in this country for over 200 years,” she said.

“It’s slow and sophisticated, but it’s still happening.”

Another rally speaker in Sydney, Lizzy Jarrett, compared suffering in Palestine with Indigenous child removals, and said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is “arming” and “funding” a “genocide”.

“I’d like to thank the f***ing cops, for making us relevant,” she said, to loud cheers.

“It’s time for Anthony Albanese and all his little f...ing genocidal minions to get the f... out of that government.”

Lebanese photographer Tom Toby also took to the stage, describing Mr Dutton as a “maggot”.

“I say to you, you maggot, we are coming after you,” he said. “We will see you on election day, when you will be swept into the sewer of Australian politics where you belong, you maggot.”

Organisers pleaded with protesters to “please not interact with any hecklers” before inviting the crowd to today’s Town Hall vigil.

“This is a message to the filthy Chris Minns, no matter how hard you try to stop us, we will never back down,” one said.

Up to 10,000 people took to the streets of Sydney. Picture: Jeremy Piper

One protester held a sign that read: “If you’ve ever wondered what you’d do during the Holocaust, you’re doing it right now”.

Others held signs or adorned themselves with stickers that said: “F*** Israel”.

Mr Marles said the rallies being held a day before October 7 was unwelcome and was against any pro-Palestinian events being held today.

“I think the protests that are happening over the course of (Sunday and Monday) are deeply regrettable, the anniversary of October 7 needs to be about October 7,” he said on ABC TV.

“What happened on that day was the loss of more than 1000 innocent lives, people going about their normal daily business in a peaceful way.

“Young people attending a concert, people being taken hostage, a lot of whom remain hostages to this day.

“It is a very solemn occasion, it’s the anniversary of that which we’ll be remembering. I think protests in support of Palestine on these days are very regrettable.”

Mr Minns said he did not want a repeat of scenes of pro-Palestinian protesters descending on the Opera House as they did on October 9 last year.

Originally published as Protesters take aim at ‘maggot’ Dutton, ‘filthy’ Minns ahead of October 7 anniversary