Sydney protests are our Minneapolis moment

When riot police use force against peaceful protesters and prime ministers clap batons, it is no longer just a rally but a warning about how quickly democratic rights can be taken away, writes James May.

Dramatic scenes erupt in Sydney 6,000 people They gathered to protest the visit of the Israeli President Isaac Herzogwho is to blame Inciting genocide in Gaza.

Video footage has emerged of NSW police using brutal force, punching and attacking people. Many protesters told harrowing stories of being attacked and pepper-sprayed. A. disturbing video It shows peacefully praying Muslims being lifted off the ground.

twenty seven people arrested and many people were injured.

Josh Lees of the Palestine Action Group (PAG) in question:

“But this is not just an attack on people trying to march, this is just an attack on anyone trying to hold a static rally, which was perfectly legal and allowed despite the current protest restrictions at City Hall.”

NSW Greens MP Jenny Leong He said protesters tried to disperse peacefully but were blocked by “riot police” and another Greens MP. Abigail BoydHe said he was punched in the neck and shoulder by the police.

According to the journalist Peter LalorA woman was unconscious on the ground from the effects of pepper spray, and a police officer sprayed her twice more. They repeatedly punched a man whom they pinned against the tram tracks, and kidney-wound a protester with a bicycle.

Lalor wrote:

‘These police officers were preparing for a fight. Some had their jaws hanging open, others were chewing gum with almost manic intensity before attacking.’

NSW Premier despite video evidence and witness statements Chris Minns and like old politicians Tony Abbott He rejected police brutality and praised their actions.

Tony Abbott in question the police must meet “silent praise” And “We need to see tear gas and rubber bullets.”.

The scenes in Sydney were shocking and similar to those in Minneapolis, where Immigration and Customs Enforcement is based (ICE) agents used violence dispersing protesters and detaining people of different races. His actions were also excused Trump Administration applauding his actions and dismissing the video evidence.

Two US citizens They were killed in these protests.

New anti-protest laws created by the NSW Government since Terrorist attack on Bondi They went too far. They are designed to quell protests and silence dissent in our society. It also allows police officers to use excessive force and act with impunity.

NSW has some of the most draconian protest laws in the democratic world. Ben SaulUN special rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights.

Protest laws in NSW It was tightened by the former State Coalition Government in 2022 to restrict the freedom of climate action groups such as Extinction Rebellion. After the ban, the laws were also strengthened. fabricated terrorist plan We are in Dural in 2025 and now we are even stronger.

By the way To the professor Anne Twomey:

…NSW parliament is trying to pass anti-protest legislation with little or no scrutiny.

Not being officially allowed to protest in a public place means protesters can be prosecuted if they obstruct people or traffic in a public place. This also means that police can issue an order to take action and it is an offense to fail to comply.

After Sydney state governments He proposed that shouting slogans should be considered a crime “from river to sea” And “Globalize the Intifada”.

Queensland could be the first state in Australia to ban speech under new law hate speech reforms. Anyone who distributes, publishes, displays or reads a prohibited statement faces a maximum prison sentence of two years.

We have also seen attempts to suppress freedom of expression and silence people at cultural events.

Palestinian-Australian writer Randa Abdülfettah canceled by the board Adelaide Writers’ Week In January. One hundred and eighty guests boycotted the event in protest, and the director Louise AdlerHe resigned from his post.

Louise Adler in question Here’s the Adelaide festival board’s decision: ‘It is a harbinger of a less free nation where lobbying and political pressure determine who can speak and who cannot’.

Randa Abdel-Fattah thinks defamation case against the Prime Minister of South Australia Peter Malinauskas.

Despite this debacle, NSW Premier Chris Minns declined Randa Abdel-Fattah’s invitation to speak at the Newcastle Writers Festival in March.

minns in question:

“I think it’s crazy that they invited that writer… It’s really confusing to me.”

More than 50 speakers withdrew from the conference Bendigo Writers Festival Last year organizers published a code of conduct. ‘Avoid language or topics that could be considered provocative, divisive or disrespectful’.

The discussion focused on debates about the Israel-Gaza war.

Lebanese-Australian journalist Antoinette Lattouf He was awarded $220,000 in 2025 after suing the ABC for ending his tenure at ABC Radio Sydney. He was dismissed for texting Human Rights Watch Article published on Instagram about hunger being used as a tool of war in Gaza.

The judge ruled that the decision to dismiss Lattouf was made to appease the pro-Israel lobbyists behind the complaint campaign.

We are rapidly moving down an authoritarian path in this country when it comes to freedom of expression and the right to protest. A dangerous model is emerging that gives citizens less freedom to express their views and gives authorities more power to determine what people can say, when and where they can say it.

according to NSW GovernmentThe new anti-protest laws are designed to protect the community, prevent intimidation and allow police to keep people safe. In Sydney they clearly had the opposite effect. Some of the most violent scenes have unfolded in the city over the past week and society is more divided than ever.

Chris Minns and the NSW Government must acknowledge police brutality against protesters and review this punitive legislation.