Pro-Palestine protestor charged in Sydney
A man has been charged after allegedly making offensive comments at a pro-Palestinian rally over the weekend.
Police investigated reports of comments allegedly made by the man at the gathering in central Sydney on Sunday attended by about 6000 people.
Following inquiries, a 63-year-old was arrested at a home in Mt Druitt about 8pm on Monday.
He was charged with using offensive language in a public place and granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
Video was posted online of a man at Sunday’s otherwise uneventful rally making a number of comments including, “Get the f***ing Jews wiped out.”
In the video, the man who says he is from Sri Lanka, is approached by police and told it is an offence to swear in public.
After moving on a short distance, the man stops and continues to rant, stating: “(In) Australia, a democratic country, I can exercise my opinion. I can say whatever I want”.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief Alex Ryvchin described the comments as another example of “hatred and incitement brought to our streets”.
“The leaders of these rallies who insist on bringing this intolerance to our cities should be ashamed of themselves,” he said.
On Monday, police said they were seeking another man who allegedly let flares off in the Opera House forecourt at a pro-Palestine protest the previous week.
Strike Force Mealing has been set up to track down those involved in incidents at that event, which included a cohort lighting flares and chanting anti-Semitic slogans.
Prior to Sunday’s protest, Premier Chris Minns said he was working with police to ensure public safety.
“There is a right to protest in NSW but there’s also a right to be free from vilification or racism and they are fundamental principles that need to be upheld,” he said.
A further rally is planned for Saturday, when organisers, the Palestine Action Group Sydney, are calling for another peaceful protest.
They said in an open invitation anyone using flares or anti-Semitic chants, as well as burning flags or displaying items associated with Hezbollah or Hamas, would be removed.
“We need all protest attendees to observe the incredibly peaceful and disciplined behaviour we saw on Sunday, so we don’t give NSW authorities any excuse to threaten our right to protest,” the group’s invitation said.
AAP
It’s really good to hear that some police action is being taken. Very important, as if not it sends the wrong message by authorities to these people and they need to bear the consequences of their violent, abusive behaviour.