NSW Police Extend Protest Restrictions Ahead of Invasion Day

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon has announced a third extension of protest restrictions in parts of Sydney, coinciding with the upcoming Invasion Day on January 26. The restrictions, initially implemented following the December 14 Bondi terror attack, have been modified to allow the major annual Invasion Day protest to proceed from Hyde Park to Victoria Park. However, the restrictions will still apply to areas including Darling Harbour and the northern CBD.

ABC News Australia

The Public Assembly Restriction Declaration (PARD) was enacted after the Bondi terror attack, which resulted in 15 fatalities. This legislation grants police the authority to limit public assemblies in response to perceived threats to community safety. The restrictions have been extended multiple times since their initial declaration on Christmas Eve, with the latest extension lasting 14 days.

The current restrictions cover significant areas of Sydney, including Darling Harbour and the eastern suburbs, but notably exclude Hyde Park, where the Invasion Day rally is set to occur. Lanyon emphasized the need for a balance between community safety and the right to protest, stating, “It’s about getting the balance right between community safety and a right to protest.”

The Guardian

Despite the restrictions, community groups, including the Blak Caucus and Palestine Action Group, have expressed their intent to proceed with protests on Invasion Day, with organizers anticipating tens of thousands of participants. Paul Silva, a rally organizer, indicated that the community is prepared to face the risk of arrest, asserting, “We know that we can get 20,000-plus people to have a day of mourning with First Nations people.”

Sydney Community Groups Willing To Risk Arrest To Protest On Invasion Day

The extension of the protest restrictions has faced significant backlash from civil liberties advocates. Timothy Roberts, president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, criticized the decision as politically motivated, arguing that it undermines democratic freedoms. He stated, “The prohibition declaration has a chilling effect on the community, who should not have to fear police intervention when they wish to assemble.” Greens MP Sue Higginson also condemned the heavy police presence at recent protests, suggesting that it exceeded what would be necessary to facilitate peaceful demonstrations.

Lanyon defended the restrictions, asserting that they are necessary for community safety in the wake of the terror attack. He noted that while the declaration limits formal protest authorizations, it does not entirely ban protests. “We are still less than six weeks from the most serious and devastating terrorist act ever committed in New South Wales,” he remarked.

Police Commissioner Confirms Another 14 Days of Protest Restrictions

While police have authorized the Invasion Day protest, the effectiveness and necessity of the restrictions have been questioned. Critics argue that the laws infringe on the right to peaceful assembly and have called for a review of the legislation, which has already faced legal challenges.

The situation remains fluid, with further reviews of the restrictions expected before the end of the current 14-day period. Community groups are preparing to challenge the legality of the restrictions in court, emphasizing the need for protections for peaceful assembly in New South Wales.

Police Commissioner Confirms Another 14 Days of Protest Restrictions