Protesters to mount legal fight against restrictions during Herzog visit

The Palestine Action Group has said it will mount an “urgent” legal challenge against the government’s decision to grant police additional powers during Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s visit.

The NSW government announced on Friday that it had declared Herzog’s visit a major event under legislation typically used to manage crowds at sporting events, giving police additional powers to “close off” designated areas and order people to leave.

It is the first time it has been used for the visit of a foreign dignitary.

The Palestine Action Group has said it will “urgently file proceedings” in the NSW Supreme Court on Monday, arguing the major event declaration triggered “extraordinary police powers” including stop and search, exclusion zones and restrictions on public conduct.

“These powers are being used to suppress lawful political protest against the visit of Herzog, whose public statements and political leadership have incited genocide in Gaza and justified the collective punishment of the Palestinian people,” the organisation said in a statement.

The group’s spokesperson Josh Lees said the restrictions “threaten the civil liberties of everyone in NSW”.

“We are taking [Premier] Chris Minns to court again,” he said.

“These laws are designed to intimidate and deter people from speaking out against war crimes and injustice … Minns cannot stop the people, and he will not succeed.”

The organisation last took the government to the Supreme Court over August’s “March for Humanity” protest across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which around 10,000 people attended.

Protest restrictions, first introduced following the Bondi massacre on December 14, were also extended last week, removing protections against legal charges for those who block traffic or pedestrians and allowing police to issue move-on directions to people who obstruct pedestrians or traffic, behave in an intimidating or harassing manner, or in a way that may be perceived as threatening or causing fear.

The Palestine Action Group has organised a march from Town Hall to NSW Parliament House on Monday evening, in breach of these public assembly restrictions.

Between 3000 and 5000 people are expected to attend.

NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Dunstan urged the group to consider an alternative route from Hyde Park to Belmore Park that would not breach the restrictions.

“We would love the group to relocate … to safely facilitate a peaceful protest on the streets of Sydney,” he said.

“I have concerns about the size of Town Hall, the possibility of overflow into public areas, which could lead to conflict between police and protesters.”

Dunstan said he had been in ongoing conversations with Lees, who reiterated to police that the group also wanted a peaceful and safe protest.

An enormous police presence is expected during Herzog’s four-day visit, with officers working an additional 3000 shifts. More than 500 officers have been rostered to police Monday’s protest.

“It’s going to be extremely significant … there will be a strong police presence right across the CBD and the eastern suburbs,” Dunstan said.

The major event powers extend from Monday to Thursday and cover a “major event area” across Sydney’s CBD and eastern suburbs.

Traffic restrictions have already been put in place across the CBD, with clearways implemented from 11 am on Sunday until 2pm Thursday. Restrictions will also be implemented around Bondi Beach from Tuesday afternoon.

Streets currently affected include

• Clarence St, Sydney CBD, both western and eastern sides between Barrack St and Margaret St.
• Bligh St between Bent St and Hunter St
• Gresham St between Bent St and Bridge St
• O’Connell St between Bent St and Hunter St

Police have urged the public to avoid the CBD on Monday due to the police operation.

Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.