Multiple protesters arrested after thousands attended Sydney Invasion Day rally

Protesters have been arrested for COVID health order breaches in Hyde Park after thousands turned out in the city for an Invasion Day rally in Sydney.

Police have made multiple arrests following the end of Sydney’s Invasion Day rally, where thousands turned up to protest the date of Australia Day.

Five people have been arrested, with one in custody for heckling protesters as police swarmed a breakaway group in Hyde Park.

Witnesses said at least four police officers arrested one man as his partner stood nearby after dozens of protesters swarmed Hyde Park following the initial rally at the Domain.

What had been a largely peaceful morning quickly turned ugly, with the man’s partner telling NCA NewsWire officers jumped on a demonstrator as a scuffle between cops and protesters broke out.

It’s alleged the man pulled a female officer off the demonstrator, before he was arrested himself and thrown in the back of a police van.

Five people have been arrested following Invasion Day protests in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

He’s now being questioned by officers.

The arrests took place shortly after organisers sent protesters home following a morning of speeches, in line with a deal brokered with police that allowed them to mark the day without incident provided they did not march.

Chants of ‘no justice, no peace, no racist police’, echoed through the Domain on Tuesday morning, as officers created a human fence, ready to issue move on notices if the group breached strict health orders.

Despite earlier threats of mass arrests if the number of attendees exceeded 500, police were seen moving protesters into groups in a bid to abide by current health protocols.

Police at the Invasion Day protest told NCA NewsWire officers were counting people as they entered the park space in the city centre, before moving them into groups in a bid to a abide by current health protocols.

Despite a peaceful start to the rally, a heavy anti-police sentiment echoed through the park in chants and speeches.

As of midday, there was only believed to be one arrest – that of a person allegedly yelling racist slurs at protesters.

The crowd yelled “no justice, no peace, no racist police,” as masked protesters gathered, spread across the entire Domain.

Thousands gathered at the Domain in Sydney. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

COVID marshals donned fluorescent vests, offered up hand sanitiser and enforced social distancing.

Protester Jinny Jane Smith said she has been coming to rallies since she was “in her mother’s womb”.

“I’ve always been part of organising these rallies so it wasn’t a question about whether I’d be here or not,” she told NCA NewsWire.

“It will be painful. There will be a lot of truth telling and a lot of people are going to get upset.

“We’re here to spread the message and all we want is recognition for our people.”

Police were well outnumbered by protesters at the park, with groups of officers littered across the Domain to monitor the masses.

Jinny Jane Smith (left) was among the thousands of protesters. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Officers formed a ring around the park, with officers ready to enforce the public health order, one member of the force told NCA NewsWire.

Protesters appeared confident in the fact they had outnumbered police, with one person heard yelling “they can’t arrest us all”.

Riot quad and highway patrol officers were also stationed around the park.

“When you see the coppers, they’re not listening. They have no love for the great people of this movement,” one of the organisers told the crowd.

Another speaker said: “Always was, always will be. Let this day go smoothly and show the cops what we’re made of.”

Alia Bjad, with her family. Lucia and Sophie and partner Charlie Sgroi. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Mother-of-two Alia Bjad said the day is “hurtful” to Indigenous Australians.

“It’s disrespectful and it’s hurtful. We’re on Aboriginal land. It was never ceded,” she said.

Paul Silva, the nephew of David Dungay whose death in custody sparked protests last year, said he wants the day abolished completely.

“People are out celebrating the day like it’s a birthday or Christmas when our ancestors were killed,” he said.

“Our family has been demanding justice for five years. We’ve literally got f**k all.”

“Too many coppers,” he then chanted.

“They say ‘accident’.”

Paul Silva, one of the speakers at the demonstration. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Most protesters were armed with signs, many scrawled with “change the date mate” in a nod to January 26 marking the date Australian land was claimed in the name of King George III.

Laura Hockey, great granddaughter of Alexander Riley (tracker) who was the first Indigenous Australian to be ranked as a sergeant in the NSW Police Force, said he wouldn’t appreciate how the force treats people of colour.

“I want the date to be changed because it brings a lot of pain to my family and ancestors. It’s really depressing for everyone,” she said.

Organisers, being represented by the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS), did apply for a COVID exemption late on Monday.

Police were outnumbered. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

But that bid was quickly shut down by NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard before it even made it to the Supreme Court.

On the Facebook event, organisers promised the event would go ahead in a COVID safe way.

But on Monday NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Mick Willing warned officers would be enforcing the public health orders.

“Do not come in and be part of that public gathering, find another way to express your views and opinions,” he said.

Originally published as Multiple protesters arrested after thousands attended Sydney Invasion Day rally