Police reported that thousands of pro-Palestinian activists gathered for rallies in Australian cities, and that all ended amicably.
In Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide, there were sizable crowds and a lot of police activity. There were no arrests made, though.
Tony Cooke, assistant commissioner of the NSW Police, reported that about 6000 people attended the Sydney event.
Following a gathering on Monday evening in front of the Opera House, police had the option of requesting “extraordinary powers.”
“I am pleased to say that in the circumstances today people listened to ensure the behaviours that was seen last Monday, were not repeated,” Cooke stated.
“People listened to their own community.”
10,000 people marched in Melbourne, according to Victoria Police, but no one was detained.
A pro-Palestinian demonstration assembled in Adelaide in front of the State Parliament building. From North Terrace to Victoria Square in Adelaide’s central business district, police led the crowd.
According to South Australia Police, the throng acted “safely, orderly, and legally.”
In Brisbane, there was another occasion.Prior to the march in Sydney, NSW Premier Chris Minns urged peace and warned that any form of vilification or violence would not be accepted.
Police had been given permission to deploy the powers, which were first employed during the 2005 Cronulla riots, by NSW Police Acting Commissioner David Hudson.
“I can indicate that the powers we are considering authorising will include any person who attends Hyde Park with the intention to assemble, and perhaps protest, will be subject to searching powers where we don’t need reasonable cause to search,” he stated.
“We will also insist that they show us their identification; failure to do so is a crime.
“These are extraordinary powers.” The Sydney event, which was originally scheduled as a march from Town Hall, was converted to a “static rally” after planners neglected to file a form for the protest, which was required to be submitted seven days in advance.
The organisers had denounced the anti-Semitic protests that took place earlier this week, claiming that only a small fraction of protesters were responsible. Anyone planning a comparable exhibit won’t be allowed at the march, according to the Sydney chapter of the Palestine Action Group.
It would need a “big logistical effort” on the part of the police, according to former NSW police officer Peter Moroney on Weekend Today.
Public safety is one of the key issues. “These things can start out relatively peacefully but then explode quickly and rapidly, as we know and as we saw this week,” he said.
“The main concern for police today is ensure that whoever attends, attends for the right reasons and sticks within the parameters of what we would expect decent behaviour.”
Officers had the authority to stop people at events, search them, and record their identities and addresses.
Supporters gathered for a rally outside the Victorian State Library in Melbourne’s central business district.
Thousands of people were present, yelling and waving Palestinian flags.
After that, the protesters headed for the Victorian State Parliament.
