Sydney politicians have called for an urgent review of policing practices after violent scenes during a demonstration in the CBD.
On Monday night, thousands of demonstrators arrived at Sydney’s Town Hall to protest the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
The initially peaceful protest eventually descended into chaos, with videos emerging on social media of police beating demonstrators.
Men with their hands up can be seen being tackled by authorities, while another boy pinned to the ground is repeatedly punched by police.
These actions were defended by Premier Chris Minns at a press conference this morning, who called it an impossible situation.
“I’d throw myself down on a reasonable person’s interpretation of the circumstances in Sydney streets last night, it was an impossible situation,” he told reporters.
“I just want to urge everybody to not look at a 10 second clip without the full context of the circumstances relating to those clashes yesterday evening.”
Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon also backed the actions of police, saying they showed “remarkable restraint.”
Among the injured was Greens MP Abigail Boyd, who told ABC Radio National her body was left battered and sore after being beaten by officers.
Now calls are growing to review the actions of police, with Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich saying he was “deeply disturbed” by the scenes.
“Given the distressing circumstances and that further protest action is likely in the very near future, I also request an immediate review into safe policing at protests,” he wrote to Police Minister Yasmin Catley.
“Could you please initiate an immediate review of policing at protests to ensure community safety.”
The calls were backed by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, who said the protest was legitimate but the scenes that unfolded “across our city did not look like Sydney at all.”
“There has to be a better way for police, who were out in intimidatingly large numbers, to manage crowds safely,” she wrote on Instagram.
Moore said that it was not good enough to say “the images aren’t a good look or that police were just doing their jobs” as she called for a review.
“There should be an independent investigation of police activities last night, and an urgent review of policing at protests to ensure people’s right to protest without harm.”
The Australian Democracy Network has already set up a page for Australians to request an independent inquiry into protest policing.
On the page, people are able to write to their MP calling for an independent review of policing at Monday’s protest and an inquiry into protest policing practices.
Twenty-seven people were arrested last night, with nine now charged.
Another protest has now been organised by the Palestine Action Group to “Rally Against Police Brutality.”
“Genocide is a crime, protest is not,” the group said.
“Drop all charges, Minns must resign.”
