Nurse speaks after police injure teenage son at Sydney rally
A western Sydney nurse likened the moment her teenage son was thrown to the ground and handcuffed by NSW police to being “beaten by an Israeli soldier” at a protest in central Sydney that ended in violence and mass arrests.
Police defended physically restraining and beating protesters at the City Hall rally as shocking videos of the clashes spread on social media. But those injured in the violence are speaking out about what they describe as a disproportionate response from officers.
A total of 27 people were arrested and many were taken to police stations across Sydney. Nine people were charged.
“When participants failed to comply, officers took action to disperse the crowd, including anyone standing and obstructing pedestrian access,” a spokesman said.
“As the matter is currently in court, we are unable to release the body-worn video or comment further.
“As the commissioner stated earlier today, all materials will be reviewed.”
In a video that spread widely on social media, two police officers are seen punching a man several times in the head and body as he is pinned to the ground on the light rail tracks and arrested.
Jace Turner, 28, allegedly bit the thumb of one of the police officers who arrested him.
After being punched several times, Turner allegedly continued to bite the officer, tearing the officer’s glove and drawing blood. A photo he saw reporter The officer appears to have a serious wound on his thumb.
Kefah Maradweh, a registered nurse and Palestinian who has lived in Australia for decades, was near City Hall in the CBD with her 16-year-old son Nedal, daughter and infant grandson to oppose a visit by Israeli president Isaac Herzog on Monday evening. Maradweh was treating protesters who had been pepper-sprayed when he was separated from his children.
His mother said Nedal was carrying her niece’s baby bag when police grabbed her Palestinian scarf and threw it to the ground.
“My son’s keffiyeh was pulled and he was thrown to the ground. His face was pushed into the concrete. One of the officers put his knee on his back; it was very cruel to do that,” Maradweh said. reporter.
“He was handcuffed and dragged like a criminal, but for what? To defend humanity? This is not the right way; we are not criminals.”
Nedal was with a group of Muslim men praying towards Mecca on a pier near City Hall when police entered and captured them. The discussion was recorded on video.
“We left our homeland for a better life, security and humanity for our families,” Maradweh said.
“When I saw my son being beaten by the police, I felt what was happening to my family. I felt what it would be like to be beaten not by an Australian police officer, but by an Israeli soldier.”
Maradweh said he was “very proud” of his son, who suffered bruises and scrapes, but hoped he would not be traumatized by being handcuffed and detained by police before being released without charge.
His daughter, a lawyer, is considering filing a lawsuit against the police.
Jann AlHafny, 69, was also injured during the protest and was hospitalized after breaking four vertebrae.
“They were pushing the crowd and a lot of people were piling on top of me. I thought I was going to drown,” she told Nine News.
“The police was shouting at me, ‘Get up, get up’. I said, ‘I can’t stand up. I hurt my back.’ He grabbed one of my arms and made me stand up very hard.”
In response to this outlet’s questions about social media footage showing excessive force being used on protesters, NSW Police said the crowd had been given a series of instructions to disperse.
Turner was charged with assaulting a police officer causing actual bodily harm and was bailed on Tuesday to appear at Downing Center Local Court on February 24.
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Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
