Police Planned to Disperse Sydney Protest at 6,000 Capacity, Messages Reveal
Encrypted messages between senior New South Wales public servants indicate that police planned to disperse a Sydney protest against Israeli President Isaac Herzog if the crowd exceeded 6,000 people. This information, released under freedom of information laws, contrasts with public comments from NSW Premier Chris Minns and Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, who stated that police only moved to disperse demonstrators after they attempted to march in defiance of restrictions.
Contradictions in Official Accounts
The messages, exchanged on the encrypted app Signal during the protest on 9 February, reveal that Simon Draper, secretary of the NSW premier's department, inquired about the situation. Kate Meagher, deputy secretary working from the police operation centre, responded that the crowd was static but estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 people, with police planning to disperse them if numbers exceeded capacity. When asked about the capacity, Meagher specified it was likely 6,000 at Sydney Town Hall.
No messages covering the time of violent clashes between police and protesters were released, but Guardian Australia reported that dispersal efforts began around 7:30 pm, involving arrests and controversial tactics like containment lines and pepper spray. Several pro-Palestine protesters have been charged with public order offences, and the independent police watchdog, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission, is investigating alleged police brutality.
Aftermath and Investigations
In a press conference the day after the protest, Premier Minns defended police actions, stating they were in an impossible situation due to protesters attempting to march. He blamed protest organisers, describing them as a pack of communists intent on having a confrontation with police. Commissioner Lanyon apologised for an incident involving Muslim men praying but maintained that police were required to disperse the crowd because of the march attempt.
NSW police did not respond to questions about the 6,000-capacity plan, citing the ongoing Lecc investigation. Estimates of attendance varied, with the Palestine Action Group expecting about 5,000 people and Assistant Police Commissioner Peter McKenna estimating 6,000 on the night. The group stated they were not informed of any dispersal plan based on crowd numbers.
Government Coordination and Public Safety
A spokesperson for Premier Minns explained that the department coordinates agencies through the Government Coordination Centre, which operates inside the police operations centre during major events to address public safety risks. However, they emphasised that this centre is not responsible for police operations. The spokesperson added that it is inappropriate to comment further during the Lecc investigation, highlighting the complex circumstances faced by NSW police during the protest.
