AFP releases powerful joint statement uniting against planned pro-Palestine rally on Oct 7
The Australian Federal Police has released a striking statement on behalf of all states and territories to stand against the planned pro-Palestine rally on October 7.
Victoria
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An extraordinary joint police statement from every state and territory has sent a stern warning to pro-Palestine protesters ahead of a series of rallies in the lead up to the anniversary of Hamas’ massacre in Israel, reminding activists it is illegal to “praise terrorism”.
The Australian Federal Police – on behalf of all police forces across the nation – released the rare statement on Friday morning, advising protesters it is a “serious offence to counsel, promote, encourage, urge, instruct or praise terrorism”.
“Police respect the right to peacefully protest and assemble in Australia, however, there will be no tolerance for illegal behaviour or violence on any day of the year,” it read.
“In Australia, there are offences that prohibit behaviour that incites or advocates violence or hatred based on race and religion, including the display of prohibited symbols in public under these circumstances.”
It comes after protesters in Melbourne were spotted waving Hezbollah flags and holding up portraits of the terrorist organisation’s slain leader Hasan Nasrallah on Sunday.
The joint release advised that there was “a range of State and Commonwealth legislation” that can be used to “uphold community safety and maintain social cohesion”.
“Law enforcement agencies across Australia work together to share information, intelligence and evidence relating to criminal activity,” it read.
“Police are lock-step in keeping Australians safe, and continue to work with all Australians, visitors, stakeholders, community leaders and leaders of faith to ensure Australian laws are understood.”
Protesters urge Melburnians to join rally today
The organisers of the controversial pro-Palestine rally on the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 terror attack are urging Melburnians to walk off the job this afternoon and join their protest outside Flinders St Station.
Melbourne’s workers and students are being told by the Free Palestine Coalition to join a “stop work to stop the genocide” protest on Friday which will see activists disrupt traffic for an “anti-genocide sit-in”.
In a statement, the prominent activist group said “rank-and-file unionists” would be gathering at Victoria Barracks, near the Shrine of Remembrance, at 4pm on Friday before marching down to Flinders St to protest against the ongoing war and to demand urgent action against Israel.
“Rank-and-file unionists will be gathering at Victoria Barracks to remember the moratorium actions that played a role in stopping the Vietnam War as the Gaza Genocide enters a second year of mass atrocities,” it read.
“With this leave early protest, Unionists for Palestine and Free Palestine Coalition are calling on all workers and students to participate in a coming year of unionised anti-war action.”
The organisers of the “disgusting” rally are continuing to defy requests to cancel it, despite a major backdown from their NSW counterparts.
Premier condemns rally but shifts responsibility to police
It comes as Premier Jacinta Allan shirked responsibility for the “utterly unacceptable” rally, putting the onus on Victoria Police.
Despite mounting pressure, she continued to resist calls for a NSW-style permit system, arguing individuals with “hatred in their heart” would ignore the scheme.
“Victoria Police have the powers and the tools and the resources that they need to protect community safety, to move people on should they be threatening that community safety, (and) to deal with people who may be displaying deeply inappropriate flags and symbols,” she said.
The comments prompted Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to accuse her of “hiding behind an argument of convenience”.
“The Premier is at odds with the majority of Victorians who would not support the celebration of death,” Mr Dutton said.
“What is the justification for the Premier here not to do everything at her disposal to stop these protests from taking place? If there is a will, there is a way to stop these protests.”
Former Premier Daniel Andrews, who now serves as a patron of Labor Friends of Israel, also echoed calls – including from Anthony Albanese – for Monday’s rally to be cancelled, describing it as “shameful and disgusting”.
While Opposition Leader John Pesutto said the government should be getting advice on what avenues it could use to shut down the protest.
It came as pro-Palestine rally organisers in NSW abandoned a similar protest planned to take place at the Sydney Opera House on October 7 as police dragged them to court to block the rally.
Despite the NSW backdown, organisers continued to defy requests from politicians and Jewish leaders to cancel the Melbourne event, stating “plans remain the same”.
One of Victoria’s top Muslim leaders, Adel Salman, backed the organisers, claiming the Islamic community “needed” the event to grieve.
“Holding a vigil on October 7th for the more than 40,000 lives lost in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza is needed for the community to come together to share its deep grief and anguish and to remember and honour the victims,” Mr Salman, president of the Islamic Council of Victoria, told the Herald Sun.
As the debate raged on, Australian Federal Police launched a new operation investigating nine complaints about the alleged public display of banned symbols in Victoria, after protesters were seen waving the flag of the Hamas-aligned terrorist organisation Hezbollah.
An AFP spokesman said the nine investigations into the display of the symbols “while potentially inciting or advocating violence, or hatred, based on race and religion” were a priority.
The AFP has also offered support to state and territory police ahead of expected October 7 protests over the coming days.
Originally published as AFP releases powerful joint statement uniting against planned pro-Palestine rally on Oct 7
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