Former Greens employee charged with assaulting police at anti-Australia Day protest

A MAN charged with assaulting police during the anti-Australia Day protest was once a paid employee of the Greens.

A MAN charged with assaulting police during the anti-Australia Day protest was once a paid employee of the Greens.

Hayden Williams, 20, is also understood to be a member of the party’s left-wing splinter group Left Renewal, which The Daily Telegraph has revealed incited its growing number of supporters to burn flags, disrupt celebrations and graffiti walls in the lead-up to Australia Day.

The 20-year-old was ­arrested on Thursday and taken to Redfern police station, where he was charged with assaulting police, resisting arrest and malicious property damage after the protest turned violent.

A man leaves Redfern police station after being arrested for resisting arrest at an Invasion Day rally. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Yesterday it was revealed he once worked for the Greens. According to Mr Williams’ social media accounts, he was a data organiser and trainer with the Greens NSW between February and July last year. In one post he denounces capitalism and says it will one day “fall over”. He is also seen posing for a photo beside Greens MP David Shoebridge on his Facebook account.

Mr Shoebridge, whose staffer Tom Raue has been involved with Left Renewal, spoke at the Invasion Day rally on Thursday, calling for the date of Australia Day to be changed.

Hayden Williams (second from right) pictured here with Greens MP David Shoebridge (right).

Last night the MP would only say: “I’m photographed next to lots of people, I’m a member of parliament.”

Mr Shoebridge has also criticised police “heavy-handedness” during the rally.

Before Australia Day, Left Renewal incited a growing band of supporters to take part in “seven days of resistance” including burning the “rag” — the Australian flag.

Left Renewal supporters include rank-and-file Greens members, staffers and former candidates.

The newly formed Greens faction has pledged to destroy capitalism, which it says is based on “elitism, sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, religious sectarianism and ableism”.

Mr Williams, whose social media accounts say he studied Sociology and Performance Studies at the University of Newcastle, posted about the protest on his Facebook leading up to Australia Day.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale last night refused to comment on Mr Williams’ charges.

Shane Paul Bell from Fighting In Resistance Equally, which organised Thursday’s protest, told The Saturday Telegraph Mr Williams had attended a “couple of meetings”.

“This kid is a rich kid, he has rich parents, he came along to a couple of our meetings,” he said. “We accept anybody but he never caused any trouble before and never showed any inkling he was going to cause any (alleged) trouble.

“We’re about a peaceful march, we’re a peaceful people.”