Hundreds of Sydney police on high alert ahead of October 7 protests, vigils
Police officers from across Sydney have gathered in their hundreds for briefings ahead of vigils and protests marking the grim anniversary of Hamas attacks on Israel.
NSW
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Hundreds of NSW Police officers have gathered inside the Sydney Cricket Ground for a briefing ahead of tonight’s vigils and rallies marking the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Three events will take place across the city, including one at Lakemba mosque which police will closely monitor, to commemorate one year since 1200 innocent lives were lost.
Sydney’s Jewish community will hold a vigil in Sydney’s east which will be attended by Premier Chris Minns and opposition leader Peter Dutton tonight.
On the steps of Town Hall, the Palestine Action Group will gather from 6pm for what they are calling a “candlelight vigil”. The group has been banned from marching.
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2PM: POLICE BRACED
Thousands of police have worked across the long weekend to monitor the protests.
“The NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly; however, the first priority … is the safety of the participants and the wider community,” a police spokesman said.
At Lakemba, a group called Stand For Palestine will hold a rally from 5.30pm.
“The Muslim community stands together, united against 12 months of carnage,” the group said on its social media page.
It comes as Australia’s leaders pay their respects to the victims of the October 7 terror attack at memorials around the country, condemning the Hamas attack and warning there is “no place” for anti-Semitism, prejudice and hatred in the community.
Anthony Albanese will attend an anniversary “illuminate October” event in Melbourne and Peter Dutton will be present at the memorial in Sydney, while senior Labor and Coalition figures will appear at various events, including a vigil at the Israeli Embassy in Canberra. — Clementine Cuneo
11.30AM: ‘GROSSLY INSENSITIVE’
Many, including NSW Premier Chris Minns, have labelled the protests and vigils were ‘grossly insensitive”.
“To hold a protest or a rally on the day when people were massacred on the other side of the world is grossly insensitive, in my opinion,” he said.
State, territory and federal police have warned protesters “there will be no tolerance for illegal behaviour or violence” as pro-Palestinian vigil organisers vow to go ahead with their planned events.
Protesters have again been warned against displaying prohibited symbols after previous rallies in Sydney and Melbourne saw Australians waving Hezbollah flags despite the Lebanese militant group being a designated terrorist organisation.
Jewish leaders have condemned pro-Palestinian protesters waving yellow flags symbolic of Hezbollah at Sunday’s rally.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said protest across the weekend were “horribly inappropriate” and “intended to provoke and inflame”.
In Sydney at Sunday’s protest, a man was arrested after holding up an Israeli flag with a Nazi swastika replacing the Star of David.
The flag was spotted among the crowd as thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Hyde Park. — Madeleine Bower
11AM: FLIGHT FROM LEBANON DUE TONIGHT
As commemorations take place around the country, the first group of Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members with a right of entry evacuated out of Lebanon will arrive in Sydney on Monday on a repatriation flight operated by Qatar Airways.
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