To avoid taking responsibility for police violence at Sydney’s anti Herzog protest, Premier Chris Minns has doubled down, framing officers repeatedly punching protesters and dragging praying men as necessary for “community safety.” The government, then echoed by much of the media, also claims the disturbing footage seen around the world needs more “context.” So here’s some context about NSW police’s history of brutal force.
By Soaliha Iqbal, Ette Media 's social media editor
On Monday evening, tens of thousands of people gathered at Sydney’s Town Hall to protest the arrival of Isaac Herzog, Israel’s President and a man found by a UN Commission of Inquiry to have incited the genocide of Palestinians, were blocked from marching due to draconian powers the Premier imposed limiting public protests. And then all hell broke loose.
Officers charged at civilians, pepper-sprayed them in the face, rode horses into crowds, repeatedly punched protesters who were already restrained, attacked Muslims who were praying, even set upon a child.
Human Rights Watch found police behaviour to be “excessive” and warned it “opens the door to abuse”, and Amnesty International called for an independent investigation of police conduct.
