Victoria Police say they are unable to follow New South Wales’ actions to halt any planned pro-Palestine rallies this weekend, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned no one should protest on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks in Israel.
Free Palestine Melbourne will hold a rally outside the State Library of Victoria on Sunday, October 6, to protest against “the ongoing Israeli occupation, genocide and crimes against humanity being committed against the Palestinian people for over 76 years”.
Protesters march during a Pro-Palestine rally for Gaza and Lebanon at the State Library of Victoria last week. Credit: AAPIMAGE
The protest marks almost one year since the October 7 attacks.
Victoria Police told this masthead stopping the protest was not an option, as “there is no permit system to protest in Victoria. If a protest is lawful, we do not have the power to deny it from occurring,” a spokesperson said.
Late yesterday, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb announced the state’s police force had applied to the NSW Supreme Court to stop a pro-Palestine rally, organised by the Palestine Action Group, for Monday.
A statement said NSW Police “recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly” but added that “the safety of the participants and the wider community” was the force’s top priority.
Protesters with a photo of late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Melbourne on Sunday.Credit: AAP
Last month Victoria Police were granted special powers under the Terrorism Act ahead of protests against the three-day Land Forces military expo. The powers allowed police officers to stop and search anyone within a designated zone and to direct masked protesters to remove their mask or leave the protest area.
On Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC Radio there should not be any protests on October 7.
Police unable to stop pro-Palestine rallies amid Anthony Albanese’s October 7 warning
