A violent altercation during a protest in Belmore, New South Wales, has left Hannah Thomas, a former Greens candidate, with a severe eye injury requiring surgery. The incident, which took place outside SEC Plating, a business alleged to supply plating services for F-35 jets used by the Israeli Defence Forces, has sparked a major police investigation.
The protest, organized by pro-Palestine activists including Thomas and brothers Thomas and Zack Schofield, was met with a heavy police presence early in the morning. According to witnesses, confusion and poor communication between police and protesters escalated tensions, culminating in a physical confrontation that resulted in Thomas’s injury.
Timeline of Events and Police Response
Video footage and police documents reviewed by The Herald provide a detailed account of the protest’s progression. The footage reveals that police arrived at the scene around 5:30 am, issuing move-on orders to the protesters, who had gathered near SEC Plating. The orders were reportedly given without clear legal justification, leading to frustration among the demonstrators.
Thomas, who had previously contested against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the seat of Grayndler, was injured during an attempt by police to disperse the crowd. The altercation was captured on video, showing officers moving in to arrest her as chants of “free Palestine” echoed from the protesters. Assistant Commissioner Brett McFadden later stated that Thomas’s injury occurred during her arrest after she allegedly resisted police attempts to detain her.
Legal and Political Implications
The incident has raised significant legal and political questions, particularly concerning the police’s use of move-on orders. Legal experts and MPs have expressed concerns over the potential misuse of controversial protest laws, which were recently passed by the Minns government. These laws have been criticized for potentially stifling legitimate protests, especially those related to sensitive political issues.
Despite assertions from police and Premier Chris Minns that the new laws were not applied in this instance, documents obtained by The Herald suggest otherwise. A police fact sheet for a 29-year-old arrested at the protest referenced a “place of worship,” a term linked to the new legislation. However, police have maintained that the move-on orders were issued due to the protesters allegedly blocking pedestrian access.
Reactions and Future Proceedings
In the wake of the protest, five individuals were arrested and charged with various offenses, including refusing to comply with police directions and using offensive language. All arrested parties have been granted conditional bail and are scheduled to appear in court in the coming months.
Hannah Thomas, speaking from her hospital bed after undergoing eye surgery, criticized the government’s protest laws, blaming them for her injury. “I look like this now because of Chris Minns and Yasmin Catley and their draconian anti-protest laws,” she stated, highlighting the perceived emboldenment of police to act with “extreme violence and brutality.”
“I look like this now because of Chris Minns and Yasmin Catley and their draconian anti-protest laws,” Thomas said.
Meanwhile, the police have declared Thomas’s injury a critical incident, prompting an internal investigation overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Committee. Assistant Commissioner McFadden emphasized the seriousness with which the police are treating the investigation, although he refrained from commenting on specific details of the arrest.
Looking Ahead
The unfolding situation has intensified scrutiny on the role of law enforcement in managing protests and the potential overreach of recently enacted protest laws. As the investigation into Thomas’s injury continues, the incident is likely to fuel ongoing debates about the balance between public safety and the right to protest.
The outcome of the court proceedings and the police investigation will be closely watched, as they may set important precedents for future protests and the application of protest-related laws in New South Wales.
