Cops may use Cronulla riot powers to control pro-Palestinian protest

Chris Minns has thrown his support behind NSW Police’s plan to use some of the strictest powers in their arsenal ahead of a pro-Palestine protest this weekend

Premier Chris Minns has thrown his support behind NSW Police ahead of pro-Palestine protests this weekend, vowing the response will be “reasonable and proportionate”.

“I want to make it clear that we support the NSW Police in the difficult job that they have to do over the weekend and the weeks ahead, managing the right to protest against the right of ordinary Australians to be free from racial vilification or intimidation,” he said.

The Premier called a snap press conference on Friday without his Police Minister Yasmin Catley, who is in her home electorate of Swansea.

Mr Minns stood by his Police Minister, who has faced tough questions over her handling of the Sydney Opera House incident on Monday.

“The Police Minister is doing work in her electorate. My understanding is that she’s meeting with Jewish groups later tonight and of course, she’ll be working over the weekend,” he said.

Wild scenes on Monday night, left, and the Cronulla riots, top right, and acting Police Commissioner Dave Hudson, bottom right.

Police are considering using some of the strictest powers in their arsenal ahead of a pro-Palestine protest this weekend, warning the general public to “reconsider” going into the city on Sunday.

Acting Commissioner Dave Hudson said the force is weighing up whether to invoke rarely-used powers over concerns the violent scenes of Monday night will repeat themselves.

The biggest factor, he said, will be whether there is an escalation in the war between Israel and Hamas ahead of the protest.

“I urge people considering entering the city on Sunday to reconsider,” Comm Hudson said.

“However, I can indicate that the powers we are considering authorising will include any person who attends Hyde Park on Sunday with the intention to assemble and perhaps protest will be subject to searching powers where we don’t need reasonable cause to search.”

The powers were brought after the Cronulla riots and police say they have scarcely been used since.

The powers extend to police being able to lock down the CBD, though Acting Commissioner Hudson said police were not considering using the full extent of the powers.

“These powers are extraordinary. These powers are seldom used,” he said.

“We are considering our legal options at the moment.

“Just because they’re available to us does not necessarily mean we will not be using the full extent of the powers which can lock the city down. We don’t intend to do that.”

“They can’t guarantee their potentially peaceful protests won’t be hijacked.

“Whoever shows up on Sunday to meet in Hyde Park it’s the behaviour that they engage in that is of concern to us. What happened on Monday night cannot be repeated.”

Police expect a figure of 300 protesters to be much larger based on social media activity.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Himbrechts

“I’m fully supportive of the measures they’re taking to ensure everyone feels, and most importantly, is safe,” Police Minister Yasmin Catley said.

“We can’t see the same scenes from earlier this week ever again. What we saw on Monday night was abhorrent and it doesn’t reflect the views and values of our community.

“The advice from police couldn’t be clearer – anyone intending to come into the city on Sunday to cause disruption or break the law should stay away.

“The priority of the NSW Police is to provide a safe environment for people to go about their business in the city. Anyone planning to protest or cause disruption should stay away.

I want to be clear – the NSW Government doesn’t oppose peaceful protest but what we don’t condone is people committing criminal offences when attending demonstrations or public rallies.

Sydney Palestine Action Group, who have organised this weeks’s protests, say they will fight in the Supreme Court for their right to protest again next week.

“This past week in NSW has been a draconian attack on our right to demonstrate in solidarity with the people of Palestine,” Sydney PAG organiser Amal Naser said.

Another organiser, Fahad Ali, took aim at Acting Commissioner Hudson’s plea for people to “pray” at home instead on Sunday.

“It is not something we can simply stand here and pray about, we need to take action,” he said.