NSW Police apply to Supreme Court to stop planned pro-Palestine marches on October 7

NSW Police is heading to the NSW Supreme Court in a bid to prevent pro-Palestine protests which were expected to attract more than 70,000 people.

NSW Police are set for a courtroom showdown with the organisers of two Pro-Palestinian rallies scheduled for the long weekend.

Protests have been scheduled to go ahead in Sydney’s CBD on October 6 and October 7, with about 70,000 people expected to attend.

The two protests are being held to mark one year since Hamas fighters killed more than 1200 people in Israel which sparked the invasion of Gaza and later Lebanon.

NSW Police have applied to the Supreme Court to stop planned protests on October 7. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

NSW Police confirmed officers “are not satisfied that the protest can proceed safely” following negotiations with organisers who had applied for a protest permit.

NSW Police has applied to the NSW Supreme Court to prohibit the two assemblies and have them declared unauthorised.

The matter was the subject of a hastily-arranged mention in the state’s highest court on Wednesday afternoon, where it was set down for a hearing on Thursday.

The court was told that up to seven witnesses will be called by both sides during the proceedings on Thursday afternoon.

It comes after large scale protests were carried out in Sydney and Melbourne over the weekend following an Israeli air strike in Lebanon’s capital Beirut last week, which killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an air strike in Beirut. Picture: Supplied

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed it would investigate “at least six reports of crime” relating to the rallies after reports people were carrying signs depicting Hezbollah imagery.

“The AFP has no tolerance for individuals who break the law and will use its extensive capability and networks to take action,” a spokeswoman said.

“Matters referred to the AFP will be reviewed to determine if actions reach thresholds to charge under the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Act 2023.”

Under the law, those who display terrorist symbols face jail terms of up to 12 months.

Several Sydney mosque leaders have since paid tribute to Nasrallah, remembering him as a “man who entered history” as a martyr.

On Tuesday, hundreds of mourners gathered at Al Rahman – also known as Masjid Arrahman – in Kingsgrove for a memorial service.

Extra chairs were placed outside of the mosque after too many people attended on Monday, leaving many to stand outside as the service was carried out.

Mourners attended the prayer session for Nasrallah at Al Rahman Mosque in Kingsgrove. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

According to The Australian, the mosque’s leaders at Al Rahman told hundreds of attendees that Nasrallah had been a “supporter of the oppressed” on Monday.

“When martyrs depart, they leave behind a timeless legacy of good deeds and reputation that (forges) a path for future generations who will carry forward the ideology and movement, and will shake the thrones of injustice everywhere,” one leader said in Arabic, which was translated by The Australian.

“This is what our martyrs would have wanted so that their blood is not shed in vain.

They rose up for our dignity, for our home, for our holy sites, for our honour, and for fighting against the invasion (against) our culture and military.”

Meanwhile, mosque-goers attending a service at the Sayeda Zainab Centre in Banksia listened as centre leaders shared how the community was “indebted” to Nasrallah, whose death was one of the “greatest tragedies”.

Mourners were seen sitting outside Al Rahman Mosque in Kingsgrove on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

“The blood of our martyrs are a testament of honour and we owe them all a great debt,” one of the centre’s leaders said, according to The Australian.

“We’re not talking about a normal person (Nasrallah), we are not talking about a (normal) jihadi leader.

“We are talking about a man who entered history.”

A similar service was also held at Al Zahra Masjid in Arncliffe since the news of Nasrallah’s death.

Meanwhile, the NSW Faith Affairs Council, which includes leaders from the Anglican Church, Buddhist Council of NSW, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and more than 10 other faiths, met on Tuesday following reports of the memorials being held across Sydney.

“As people of faith, we recognise that our common humanity makes us one family, and we embrace each other as brothers and sisters,” the council said in a statement on Tuesday.

Protesters have been gathering at Town Hall in Sydney to call for peace and an end to the current Israeli occupation of Palestine. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“We acknowledge the pain many in our community are feeling due to events in the Middle East.

“We implore those who are grieving to find solace in the compassion and understanding of others, and to refrain from any words or acts which promote hate and resentment or incite violence.

“Our state has shown great resilience throughout these times of conflict, but our social cohesion is something we cannot take for granted.

“As community and faith leaders we are committed to working within our various congregations and communities to promote peace, harmony and understanding in NSW and to stand together as fellow Australians.”

Originally published as NSW Police apply to Supreme Court to stop planned pro-Palestine marches on October 7