'Lock-step': Police across Australia issue rare joint protest warning

The Australian Federal Police, along with all state and territory police, said in a joint statement there would be “no tolerance” for lawbreaking or violence.

“In Australia, there are offences that prohibit behaviour that incites or advocates violence or hatred based on race and religion, including the display of prohibited symbols in public under these circumstances,” the statement read.

“It is also a serious offence to counsel, promote, encourage, urge, instruct or praise terrorism.”

Plans for rallies this weekend and on October 7, the anniversary of Hamas’ deadly surprise attack on Israel last year that saw 1200 Israeli people killed and more than 200 kidnapped, have sparked controversy this week.

In NSW, Central Metropolitan Region Commander and Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said police will be out on Sunday for public safety reasons.

“If you do see the police, please listen to them, we want to make sure everyone is safe, that is our main concern,” he said.

“Certainly if we see there are public safety issues, if people want to commit an offence, we won’t tolerate that and we won’t hesitate to act.”

“We have an agreement with the organisers thus far about what they can and can’t do, if they stick to that agreemenet and if the people who come to the protest do it in good faith … then hopefully they’ll be able to come in, come out and there’ll be no issues.”

NSW Police announced yesterday that an October 6 protest would go ahead following an alternate route after securing an agreement with protest organisers that no Hezbollah symbols or flags would be displayed.

The plan for a protest on October 7 has been withdrawn, but a vigil will take place instead.

McKenna said that the action group has the right to public protest and that police would be on site but would not intervene unless it was necessary for public safety.

“NSW Police force is apolitical, we understand that there are heightened emotions at the moment, it’s really not our place to say whether that is appropriate or inappropriate – we can only go by what the law tells us.”

“The law tells us that in NSW people have a democratic right to hold public assemblies.

“If there’s no reason for NSW Police to intervene, then we won’t intervene.”

Israel’s retaliation against the Hamas attack has seen more than 40,000 Gazans killed, according to local health authorities, while almost all residents have been displaced from their homes.

Israel has recently opened up a new front against Hezbollah in Lebanon, with fighting and airstrikes intensifying there.

A Sunday protest is also expected to ahead in Melbourne, followed by a vigil and procession on Monday.

An Adelaide protest will also go ahead after police said organisers had satisfied all legal requirements.

However, it’s expected officers will be out in force at all events.

“Police are lock-step in keeping Australians safe, and continue to work with all Australians, visitors, stakeholders, community leaders and leaders of faith to ensure Australian laws are understood,” the statement read.

“Police are planning and preparing for upcoming protests in some states and territories.”